Bring to the notary your original document, a photo copy of it and a valid ID, such as your driver license or passport. Then follow one of the options stated below:
Option 1:
The notary should certify copy of a document by writing ‘TRUE COPY’
and putting his/her signature, seal and stamp preferably on the copy itself.
Option 2:
However, if your state law does not permit copy of the document to be notarized
on the face of it, please attach a statement with the following lines:
---TEAR OFF THIS CERTIFICATE AND ATTACH TO THE COPY OF THE
DOCUMENT BEING NOTARIZED---
State of ___________
County of ___________
On this _______ day of ______________ (month and
year), I certify that the preceding or attached document is a true, exact, complete,
and unaltered photocopy from the original document of _____________________
(description of document), presented to me by the document’s custodian
________________________________ (name of custodian).
Notary Seal (Signature of Notary)
(Name of Notary Typed, Stamped or Printed)
Notary Public, State of ___________ My commission expires ______________
------
Option 3:
You may also write this statement on the copy of the document.
"I declare this is a true, exact and unaltered photocopy of xxxxxx"
Then sign and date this before the notary. The notary will notarize your signature.
If your passport copy is to be used in China, please read on. The Chinese Consulates and Embassy prefer to have both declaration statement and acknowledge statement on the same passport copy: one declaration statement from the passport holder stating it is a true and unaltered copy and sign (using option 3) AND one acknowledge statement from the notary. Sample acknowledge statement is " Signed and sworn (or affirm) to before me this__________day of_______________, 20___."
Some states or counties doesn't allow wording such as true copy, your notary should be able to work out a closest alternative. Banks usually provide
notary service.