Why a New York Notary Cannot Certify a Copy
You bring a diploma, a passport or a birth certificate and ask the notary to certify that the copy is […]
Notary Basics
Notary Basics
Can a Notary Notarize for a Family Member?
New York does not have a rule that says a notary may never notarize for a relative. What it has
Notary Basics
Can a Notary Refuse to Notarize a Document?
Yes, and in several situations a New York notary is required to. Refusing is not a customer service failure. It
Notary Basics
No ID? The Five Ways New York Lets a Notary Identify You
Everyone assumes a driver license is the only way. In New York it is not. The state’s notary regulations set
Notary Basics
Acknowledgment vs Jurat: Which Does Your Document Need?
Two notarial acts cover almost everything a New York notary does, and they are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one
Passport Consent
Applying for a Child Passport in NYC: Who Must Appear
The rule that governs everything else: a child under sixteen applies in person, and both parents or guardians must consent.
Passport Consent
DS-3053 vs DS-5525: Consent, Sole Authority and Special Circumstances
These two forms get confused constantly, and picking the wrong one is one of the more expensive errors in the
Passport Consent
Child Passport When One Parent Cannot Appear
One parent is deployed. One works nights. One lives in another state, or another country, or you are separated and
Passport Consent
How to Get a DS-3053 Notarized (Without It Being Rejected)
The DS-3053 is a short form and it gets rejected constantly. Not because families are careless, but because three of
Passport Consent
What Is Form DS-3053?
Form DS-3053 is the U.S. Department of State form titled Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a