Michigan notaries are not authorized to certify copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates. Only the Division of Vital Records/Statistics may perform such a certification. If you need a certified copy of this type of document, you must request it from the state in which the individual was born. As a fraud prevention measure, many states require that the request form be notarized – a Michigan notary can notarize your signature on this form.

A notary is a public official that the state commissioned to serve as an impartial party to conduct different services. 

•  Administration of affirmations and oaths
•  Administration of Acknowledgments
• Stand as a witness during the signing of certain documents

The wording requirements for acknowledgment certificates vary from state to state. Acknowledgments certify that a signer personally appeared before the Notary, was identified by the Notary and acknowledged freely signing the document (MCL 55.263[a] and 55.285[2]).

Some states require specific wording while other states provide Notaries general guidance.  Although Michigan law does not require the use of an inking seal or embossing seal, the following information must be typed, printed, stamped or otherwise imprinted mechanically or electronically in a photographically reproducible manner on each Notary Certificate MCL 55.287[2]: including the venue:  

• The Notary’s name as it appears on the commission application.
• “Notary Public, State of Michigan, County of _.”
• “My commission expires _.”
• If notarizing in a county other than the county of commissioning, the statement “Acting in the County of _.”
• The date the notarial act was performed.
• Notary’s signature
• Type of notarization and date
• Form of identification produced
• A statement the signer appeared via the physical presence or online notarization before the Notary.  
• The signer’s name and signature

Please DO NOT SIGN your document before you get to your appointment.