To create a certified copy of a handwritten personal letter, what must a Notary do?

Creating a certified copy of a handwritten personal letter involves specific actions by the Notary. To properly certify a document, the Notary must add or attach notarial wording for a certified copy. This wording is essential as it indicates that the Notary has verified the authenticity of the copy, confirming that it is a true and exact replica of the original document.

The notarial wording typically outlines what the Notary is certifying, including the identity of the document being copied and the fact that it is a true and accurate copy of the original. This serves as a legal acknowledgment that the Notary has followed the proper procedures in the certification process.

Other actions, such as verifying the identity of the letter’s author, while important in general notarial practice, are not specifically required for creating a certified copy, especially if the author is not present or not involved in the certification. Similarly, creating a notarial certificate or providing the original document may not be necessary, as the focus should be on certifying the copy itself rather than the original. Thus, the act of adding or attaching the appropriate notarial wording effectively fulfills the requirement for the certified copy process.