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The notary public cannot certify a copy of a public record. A "public record" is one that is filed and maintained by a public record keeper, such as a municipal clerk, court clerk, or the Secretary of State, often pursuant to a legal requirement. Copies of public records are "certified" when the authority having custody of the records confirms that they are true and exact copies of the originals. Section 7-62a of the Connecticut General Statutes, entitled "Unlawful Issuance of Certificates," specifically prohibits any person other than a municipal clerk/registrar of vital statistics or the Commissioner of Public Health from preparing certified copies of birth certificates, marriage, death or stillbirth. This provision acts to prevent falsification of information on these certificates. These records are considered critical or "vital" records.

Notary Public cannot certify a copy of a public records. A "public record" is one filed with and maintained by a public record keeper, such as a town clerk, court clerk or the Secretary of the State, often pursuant to a statutory requirement. Copies of public records are "certified" when the authority having custody of the records confirms that they are true and accurate copies of the originals. Section 7-62a of the Connecticut General Statutes, entitled "Illegal issuance of certificates," specifically prohibits anyone other than a town clerk/registrar of vital statistics or the Commissioner of Public Health from preparing certified copies of certificates of birth, marriage, death or fetal death. This provision acts as a safeguard against the falsification of information in these certificates. These records are viewed as critical or "vital" records and are maintained by public record keepers to insure the accuracy and integrity of the information they contain.

Under Connecticut law, notaries do not have the authority to prepare "certified" or "true" copies of any documents. It is a very common request and notaries must be prepared to deal with such requests in a helpful manner. This office recommends that all notaries use the following procedure: ►The notary must ask the person presenting the document to make a photocopy and prepare a written statement, which may be attached to or written on the photocopy itself, declaring that it is a true copy of the original. ►The individual then verifies under oath, administered by the notary, that the statement is true. The requesting party signs the declaration in the presence of the notary and the sworn form that appears in Sec. 4.9, is attached and completed by the notary.

Under Connecticut law, notaries have no authority to prepare "certified" or "true" copies of any documents. It is a very common request and notaries should be prepared to meet such requests in a helpful manner. This office recommends that all notaries use the following procedure: ►The notary should request that the person presenting the document make a photocopy and prepare a written statement, that may be attached to or written on the photocopy itself, stating that it is a true copy of the original. ►The individual then verifies under oath, administered by the notary, that the statement is true. The requesting party signs the statement in the notary's presence and the form of jurat that appears under Sec. 4.9, is attached and completed by the notary.

An affidavit is a written or printed statement or statement of fact, made voluntarily and confirmed by oath or affirmation by the party making it before an officer having authority to administer such oath or affirmation. The usual procedure for indicating that an oath has been taken in connection with an affidavit is as follows: ►The notary administers an oath to the party making the affidavit. ►The party then signs the affidavit in the presence of the notary. ►The notary then attaches a certificate, commonly called a jurat, to the affidavit.

An affidavit is a written or printed declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it before an officer having authority to administer such oath or affirmation. The usual procedure for indicating that an oath has been administered in connection with an affidavit is as follows: ►The notary administers an oath to the party making the affidavit. ►The party then signs the affidavit in the presence of the notary. ►The notary then attaches a certificate, which is commonly called a jurat, to the affidavit.

If a person is unable to sign their name due to physical disability or illiteracy, a mark can serve as a signature. A mark, usually an "X", may be sufficient. Two witnesses in addition to the notary must be present when a person signs for brand. The name of the person signing for the mark must be written near the mark by one of the witnesses. Witnesses must also sign their own names on the document as witnesses, and in the notary's journal.

If a person cannot sign his or her name because of a physical handicap or illiteracy, a mark can serve as a signature. A mark, usually an “X, can suffice. Two witnesses in addition to the notary should be present when a person signs by mark. The name of the person who signs by mark should be written near the mark by one of the witnesses. The witnesses should also subscribe their own names to the document as witnesses, and to the notary’s journal.

Occasionally notaries will be required to perform notarial acts for younger persons. Two problems arise in such cases that differentiate these transactions from the usual notarial act. Younger people often do not have adequate forms of identification to meet the satisfactory proof of identification requirement. One means of addressing this obstacle is to recommend that the notarial act be performed by a notary who personally knows the individual. Another option would be to obtain identification through the oath or affirmation of a credible witness. The second issue is that of competition. The notary must be sure that the younger person understands the nature of the document they are signing.

Notaries will occasionally be asked to perform notarial acts for younger persons. Two issues arise in such cases that make these transactions different from the usual notarial act. Frequently, younger persons do not have adequate forms of identification to meet the requirement for satisfactory proof of identification. One means of addressing this obstacle is to recommend that the notarial act be performed by a notary who personally knows the individual. Another option would be to obtain identification through the oath or affirmation of a credible witness. The second issue is that of competence. The notary must be confident that the younger person understands the nature of the document he/she is signing.

You must have a credible witness, a person the notary knows personally and who knows you personally. For example, a notary might rely on a co-worker known to the notary to identify a third party (you) who does not have the required forms of identification. It is essential that the credible witness is "personally known" to the notary. Like all witnesses, the credible witness must be honest, competent, and ideally, uninterested in the transaction. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the credible witness.

You need to have a credible witness, an individual who is personally known by the notary and who personally knows you. For example, a notary could rely on a co-worker known to the notary, to identify a third party (you) who does not have the required forms of identification. It is essential that the credible witness be “personally known” to the notary. Like all witnesses, the credible witness should be honest, competent and ideally, without interest in the transaction. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the credible witness.

The notary must always be sure that the person requesting notarial services is competent. Competence simply means that the individual understands the meaning of his actions. The notary must refuse to perform any notarial act for a person who is manifestly incompetent. If an issue of an individual's jurisdiction arises, the notary may consult that person's doctor or attorney.

An acknowledgment (Acknowledgement) is probably the most common notarial act that the notary will have to perform. That is a formal declaration before an authorized official by the person who executed an instrument that said instrument is his act and free writing. A typical instrument that requires recognition is a transfer of land, but virtually any document that is signed can also be recognized. The usual acknowledgment form states that the signer of the instrument appeared in person before the notary and acknowledged signing the instrument for its stated purpose. For an acknowledgment to be taken successfully, each of the following requirements must be met. The signer must: 1. Appear in person before the notary. 2. acknowledge that you signed the instrument in question. 3. state that it is a free and voluntary act.

An acknowledgment is probably the most common notarial act that the notary will be called upon to perform. It is a formal declaration before an authorized official by the person who executed an instrument that such instrument is his/her free act and deed. A typical instrument requiring an acknowledgment is a conveyance of land, but virtually any document that is signed, can also be acknowledged. The usual acknowledgment form states that the signer of the instrument personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged having signed the instrument for its stated purpose. For an acknowledgment to be properly taken, each of the following requirements should be fulfilled. The signer must: 1. personally appear before the notary. 2. acknowledge that he/she signed the instrument in question. 3. state that it is his/her free act and deed.

A notary appointed under Connecticut law is a notary for the entire state and may perform his or her duties anywhere within the state. The notary has the power to: ►take oaths ►take awards ►take depositions in civil actions or probate proceedings ►issue, upon request, subpoenas for witnesses to appear to testify in civil matters or probate proceedings ►Issue subpoenas to appear before commissioners from other states. It is important for the notary to have a thorough understanding of how to perform each notarial act, before attempting to do so, because a notary may be liable for losses resulting from improper performance of their duties.

A notary appointed under Connecticut law is a notary for the entire state and may perform his/her duties anywhere within the state. The notary has the power to: ►administer oaths ►take acknowledgments ►take depositions in civil actions or probate proceedings ►issue, upon request, subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses to give depositions in civil matters or probate proceedings ►issue subpoenas for the appearance before out-of-state commissioners. It is important for the notary to have a thorough understanding of how to perform each notarial act, before attempting to do so, because a notary may be liable for losses that result from improper performance of his/her duties.

Each Connecticut Notary Public is appointed by the Secretary of State for a term of five years, beginning on the date of appointment and ending on the last day of the anniversary month five years later.

Each notary public is appointed by the Secretary of the State for a term of five years, beginning on the date of appointment and ending on the last day of the anniversary month five years later.

The notary public is a public official appointed by the Secretary of State through the power conferred by the clerk by state law. The notary has the power to: ►administer oaths ►take awards ►Perform other functions as permitted by law. It is very important that notaries always remember the public nature of the office hold. It is the duty of all notaries to serve the public and they may not unreasonably refuse to perform a notarial act for any member of the public who offers legal fees and complies with all requirements prescribed by law. However, the notary must exercise the same care not to exceed the authority of the office when offering opinions or advice to persons requesting the performance of notarial acts.