Copy Certifications Flashcards

What does a Hawaii notary attest to when performing a copy certification?

Answer: That the copy is a true, correct, and complete reproduction of the original

A copy certification is the notary's attestation that the copy is a true, correct, and complete reproduction of the original document.

Which of the following documents is a Hawaii notary PROHIBITED from certifying a copy of?

Answer: A birth certificate

Vital records such as birth certificates are issued by government agencies, and only those agencies may provide certified copies — not a notary.

Before completing a copy certification, what must the Hawaii notary personally do?

Answer: Compare the copy to the original document

The notary must personally compare the copy against the original to verify the copy is a true and complete reproduction.

A customer asks a Hawaii notary to certify a copy of their state-issued driver's license. What is the correct response?

Answer: Refuse, because government-issued IDs cannot be copy-certified by notaries

Driver's licenses are government-issued records; only the issuing agency may produce certified copies, not a notary.

Which of the following documents CAN a Hawaii notary legally certify a copy of?

Answer: A private lease agreement

A private lease agreement is a privately created document — not a government record — so a notary may certify a copy of it.

Can a Hawaii notary certify a copy of an existing photocopy when the original document is unavailable?

Answer: No, the notary must always compare against the original

A notary must compare the copy directly to the original; certifying a copy of a copy does not satisfy this requirement and is not permitted.

What must a copy certification certificate include at minimum?

Answer: The notary's statement that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original

The certificate must contain the notary's statement attesting that the copy is a true, correct, and complete reproduction of the original.