HI Notary Copy Certifications 3

Question 1

Can a Hawaii notary certify a copy of a U.S. passport photo page?

Accepted Answer

No, passports are federal government documents and cannot be copy-certified by notaries

Answer

Yes, if the passport holder is present and signs the journal

Answer

Yes, if only the biographical information page is copied

Answer

Yes, with written approval from the Hawaii Secretary of State

Question 2

What distinguishes a notary's copy certification from a certified copy issued by a government agency?

Accepted Answer

A government agency's certified copy is issued by the official custodian of the record

Answer

A notary's certification carries broader legal authority

Answer

A notary's certification is only valid within Hawaii

Answer

A government agency's certified copy does not require an official seal

Question 3

A notary is asked to certify a copy of a deed that was recorded at the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances. What should the notary do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse, as recorded deeds are public records and certified copies must come from the bureau

Answer

Certify the copy since the deed was originally a private document

Answer

Certify the copy only if both parties to the deed are present

Answer

Certify the copy and send written notice to the bureau

Question 4

What information must a Hawaii notary include when recording a copy certification in the journal?

Accepted Answer

Date, type of notarial act, description of the document, and the requestor's signature

Answer

The full text of the document being copied

Answer

Contact information of the document's original author

Answer

The notary's assessment of the document's legal validity

Question 5

What are the potential consequences for a Hawaii notary who incorrectly certifies a copy of a vital record?

Accepted Answer

The notary may face disciplinary action including suspension or revocation of their commission

Answer

The certificate is automatically voided with no further penalty

Answer

Only the person who requested the copy is held responsible

Answer

No penalty applies if the notary acted without knowledge of the prohibition

Question 6

Which of the following is a permissible copy certification scenario under Hawaii law?

Accepted Answer

Certifying a copy of a personal resume

Answer

Certifying a copy of a Hawaii state income tax return

Answer

Certifying a copy of a recorded mortgage document

Answer

Certifying a copy of a marriage certificate

Question 7

A Hawaii notary certifies a copy of a document and later discovers the document presented was itself a copy, not the original. What is the significance of this?

Accepted Answer

The certification is improper because the notary did not compare to the original as required

Answer

The certification remains valid as long as the copy-of-copy is accurate

Answer

The certification is valid if the signer swore the document was original

Answer

The certification must be re-executed with a new date only