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In depth
A notary public is a public official authorized to witness signatures, certify documents, administer oaths, and perform other official acts. In CBD cases, notaries are used to certify copies of documents, witness signatures on powers of attorney, and notarize affidavits.
Notary publics are commissioned by state (US) or national (other countries) authorities. Their powers and qualifications vary by jurisdiction — in civil law countries (Italy, France, Germany), notaries are highly trained legal professionals with broader powers than US notaries.
For CBD cases, notarized documents may need to be apostilled (if used in a foreign country) and translated (if in a foreign language).
Related terms
A certified copy is a copy of a document that has been verified as a true and accurate copy by the issuing authority, typically required for CBD applications.
An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document authorizing a person (typically a lawyer) to act on behalf of another, used in CBD cases to allow counsel to file and represent the applicant.
A long-form birth certificate is a detailed birth certificate that includes the child's and parents' full information, required for most CBD applications.
A short-form birth certificate is a simplified birth certificate showing only the child's basic information, typically not accepted for CBD applications.
A vital record is a government-recorded document that certifies a vital event — birth, marriage, divorce, or death — and is the primary evidence in CBD cases.