We often receive requests for certified copies of documents such as passports, driver licenses, birth certificates, etc. A notary public in Tennessee is not authorized to certify copies, and it is actually illegal for a notary to certify a copy of a vital document (such as a birth certificate).
Notaries Public in Tennessee can notarize what is called “Copy Certification by Document Custodian”. In short, it is a statement that you are the custodian, or owner, of a document, and that you have sworn before a notary public under penalty of perjury that it is a true copy of the original. The notary then notarizes the fact that you have sworn or affirmed before them that the copy is a true reproduction, not that the notary is certifying the authenticity. This type of notarization lets the requesting agency, government or organization know that you, the custodian or owner of the document, have sworn under oath and penalty of perjury that the document is a true copy.
Please note that we are not giving legal advice and are not instructing you to use this type of notarization. We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. In our experience, Copy Certification By Document Custodian have met the requirements for most passport renewal and other needs. However, we cannot guarantee that the agency requesting the document(s) will accept this type of notarization.
Should you wish to use this type of notarization, below is sample verbiage we have seen others use:
Schedule your notarization here.