Key Takeaways
- Oaths invoke a supreme being; affirmations are secular alternatives
- Oaths and affirmations can be standalone acts without a document
- Copy certification attests that a copy is a true reproduction of an original
- Arizona notaries CANNOT certify vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- The choice between oath and affirmation is the signer's preference
Oaths, Affirmations, and Copy Certifications
Beyond acknowledgments and jurats, Arizona notaries can perform other notarial acts: standalone oaths/affirmations and copy certifications.
Oaths vs. Affirmations
| Oath | Affirmation |
|---|---|
| Invokes a supreme being | Secular (no religious reference) |
| "So help you God" | "Under penalty of perjury" |
| Traditional form | Legally equivalent alternative |
Important: Both are legally binding. The signer chooses which they prefer.
Sample Oath
"Do you solemnly swear that the statement you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
Sample Affirmation
"Do you solemnly affirm, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Arizona, that the statement you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Standalone Oaths/Affirmations
Oaths and affirmations can be administered WITHOUT a document:
| Use Case | Example |
|---|---|
| Witness testimony | Swearing in a witness |
| Verbal declaration | Promising to perform duties |
| Oath of office | Public official taking oath |
For standalone oaths, you still record the act in your journal.
Copy Certification
Copy certification is when a notary attests that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original.
The Process
- Signer presents original document
- Notary compares copy to original
- Notary verifies copy is accurate reproduction
- Notary completes copy certification certificate
- Journal entry recorded
What CAN Be Copy Certified
| Document Type | Can Certify? |
|---|---|
| Passports | Yes |
| Driver's licenses | Yes |
| Academic transcripts | Yes |
| Letters | Yes |
| Personal documents | Yes |
What CANNOT Be Copy Certified
Arizona notaries CANNOT certify copies of:
| Document Type | Why Not |
|---|---|
| Birth certificates | Vital records excluded |
| Death certificates | Vital records excluded |
| Marriage certificates | Vital records excluded |
| Documents with live seals | Cannot accurately reproduce |
| Public records | Certified by issuing agency |
Why? These documents should only be certified by the issuing agency to prevent fraud.
Copy Certification Certificate
State of Arizona County of [County Name]
I, [Notary Name], a Notary Public in and for the State of Arizona, certify that I have compared the foregoing copy with the original document presented to me by [Person's Name], and certify that this copy is a true, complete, and accurate transcription or reproduction of the original.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and affixed my official seal this [date].
[Notary Signature] [Notary Seal]
Fees for Notarial Acts
| Act | Maximum Fee (Arizona) |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 per signature |
| Jurat | $10 per signature |
| Oath/Affirmation | $10 |
| Copy Certification | $10 |
Note: These are maximum fees. You may charge less or nothing.
On the Exam
Questions focus on:
- Oath vs. affirmation: Legally equivalent, signer's choice
- Copy certification: Cannot certify vital records
- Standalone oaths: Can be done without a document
- Fees: Know the maximum fees for each act
Which document can an Arizona notary certify a copy of?
What is the difference between an oath and an affirmation?