Statement by 3rd Party re: Copy of Passport

Can I do this in CA? My CFO wants me to notarize a written statement saying “attached are copies of passports for each of our firm’s Partner”; attached to the statement are copies of passports for each of our 10 Partners. Since the CFO is not really the “custodian” of the original passports, I wonder if I can notarize (jurat) his statement indicating he has verified that each of the copies are true copies of the original passport.

I would prefer that each individual sign his or her own “custodian” form.

If that’s not possible, a statement (affidavit) by the CFO indicating that he has verified the attachments and that each of the copies are true copies of the original passports. It makes sense that a Jurat should be used in this instance since the CFO is making a sworn statement as to the validity of the copies.

I would think the CFO’s statement/affidavit should clearly list identifying information for each passport copy to be attached.

(i.e. name, passport number, Country of Passport Origin, date of issuance)

I am not an attorney and am not providing legal advise here. Just trying to use some common sense.

A side note here…

An individual can ask a notary to notarize any type of document or statement.

It’s the notary’s duty to verify the identity of the individual before them who is signing the document and to perform our duties in compliance with our State’s regulations.

I think that since you are notarizing a document for your employer, you can make suggestions so that the document is drafted in compliance with State law.

I’ve notarized documents for people in the past and have been called back to notarize a document again because the original document was not in compliance with rhe recipient’s specifications.

We are not mind readers and many times we don’t know what the intent of the document is. We are taking the word of the signer that the document is what is needed and that the signer has verified the document to be the correct document.

tnabnaca, you CAN notarize the CFO’s statement saying “attached are copies of passports for each of our firm’s Partner” HOWEVER, you are getting involved in the docs to concern yourself with whether the passport copies are “true copies of the original” and who the custodians are. The CFO did not ask you to about that, he asked you to notarize his statement of what is ATTACHED. By taking this further than what is asked you are engaging in UPL (unlicensed practice of law). Do not concern yourself with anything but what you are asked to notarize.

A custodian is someone in whose CARE the passport is in, NOT necessarily whose photo/info is on the passport. If the CFO has physical custody of those passports and he makes photocopies, YES, he can swear on oath (jurat) on the Copy Certification by Document Custodian forms on each of the passports copies and sign his name. Since that would be 10 separate notarizations for those 10 passport copies, plus the letter saying what is attached (that makes 11), you should be paid well – if you are in California.