Other Prohibited Acts
There Are Many Things That A Notary May Not Do. Some Of Those things are listed below.
■ Do not notarize a photograph
■ Do not notarize a copy of a birth certificate, or any other vital record or public record
■ Do not certify a translation of a document from one language into another.
■ Do not provide signature guarantees. This duty is usually performed by officials in the banking and securities industry.
■ Do not certify the authenticity of objects, such as art or sports memorabilia.
■ Do not judge contests or certify contest results.
■ Do not certify a person’s residency or citizenship status.
■ Do not prepare legal documents, or immigration papers.
More on photographs
Occasionally, we may be asked to “notarize” a photograph. Please be aware that certifying or notarizing photographs is not an authorized notarial act under Florida. The Notary, may, however, notarize a person’s signature on a written statement concerning the photograph.
For example, if Jane Smith wants to certify that the person in a particular photograph is John Doe, she could sign a sworn written statement stating that the photograph is of John Doe. The Notary could then notarize her signature on that statement in the same way that the Notary notarizes any sworn written statement. Her statement could be made on the back of the photograph or on a separate paper to be attached to the photograph.
Keep in mind that the Notary will not certify or attest that the person in the photograph is John Doe. Rather, the Notary will certify that the statement concerning the photograph was signed and sworn to in the Notary’s presence by Jane Smith. This is accomplished by using the standard notarial certificate (jurat) provided in the Florida Statutes for oaths. The Notary will apply their notary seal to and sign the document with completing a proper notarial certificate, chosen by Jane Smith.