Copy Certifications Flashcards
6 cards from real AZ NOTARY practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Copy Certifications flashcards as text
What does an Arizona notary certify when performing a copy certification?
Answer: That a photocopy is a true, exact, and complete copy of the original document the notary reviewed
In a copy certification, the notary certifies only that the photocopy is a true, exact, and complete reproduction of the original document—not that the document's content is truthful, that it was properly executed, or that it has been recorded anywhere.
Which of the following documents may an Arizona notary certify as a true copy?
Answer: A personal letter written by a private individual
Arizona notaries may certify copies of documents that are NOT public records and NOT capable of being recorded in a public office. A personal letter is a private document that fits both criteria. Birth certificates are vital records (public records), recorded deeds are public records, and IRS transcripts are government-issued records—none of these qualify for notary copy certification.
Why can an Arizona notary NOT certify a copy of a birth certificate?
Answer: Because birth certificates are public records, and notaries may only certify copies of non-public documents
Arizona law limits notary copy certifications to documents that are not public records. Birth certificates are vital records maintained by the government as public records; certified copies of those documents must be obtained directly from the issuing government agency, not from a notary.
What must an Arizona notary do before certifying a photocopy of a document?
Answer: Compare the photocopy directly against the original document to confirm it is a complete and accurate reproduction
The notary must physically compare the photocopy to the original to verify it is true, exact, and complete. No oath is required for a copy certification (unlike a jurat), no document number pre-registration is required, and no authorization from the author is needed—the notary's own comparison of copy to original is the key step.
Which notarial certificate wording is used to complete a copy certification in Arizona?
Answer: A statement that the notary has compared the attached copy with the original and that the copy is a true and complete reproduction
A copy certification requires its own distinct certificate—one that states the notary compared the copy to the original and found it to be true and complete. An acknowledgment certificate and a jurat certificate are for different notarial acts. Placing only a seal without a completed certificate is insufficient.
A client asks an Arizona notary to certify a copy of a deed that was recorded with the county recorder's office five years ago. The notary should:
Answer: Decline, because recorded documents are public records that cannot be copy-certified by a notary
Once a deed is recorded with the county recorder, it becomes a public record. Arizona prohibits notaries from certifying copies of public records—regardless of how long ago they were recorded or the type of property involved. The client should instead obtain a certified copy from the county recorder's office.