Can Notaries Certify Fingerprint Cards?

Is a Notary Public allowed to certify a fingerprint card? — N.U., Roseville, California

If you mean, may a California Notary certify a copy of a fingerprint card, the answer is no. You may only certify copies of a power of attorney document or a line item in your official journal at the request of the Secretary of State or a court.

If you mean, may a Notary take a person’s fingerprints, the answer may be yes. Many Notaries have provided fingerprinting services in the past. However, taking fingerprints is not a notarial act for which a Notary commission is required and may be regulated by other law.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. After hours you can send a message to our Notary experts at Hotline@NationalNotary.org, and you will receive a response the next business day.

74 Comments

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Mratajczak@Verizon.Net

24 Aug 2024

I would like to add fingerprinting to my NJ commission. I found an online course fingerprinting.org. Can I take that course and use that knowledge to take fingerprints on the FD-258 cards. I got an email from someone looking for fingerprinting services. I have the FD-258s but I would like to take this course and put that under my belt. Thank you.

National Notary Association

26 Aug 2024

Hello. We're sorry, fingerprinting is not part of a NJ Notary commission's authorized duties. You would need to contact the appropriate state agency that regulates fingerprinting services to ask if the course you described meets their requirements.

Roseline

20 Aug 2024

So, to clarify. I am a notary in Florida. I am not allowed to have fingerprinting as part of my notary service, but I can have it as a separate business. Am I correct? Please help me if I am wrong.

21 Aug 2024

Hello. Yes, you are correct. Florida Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their authorized notarial duties, but you can offer fingerprinting services as a separate business. Any certification required for a fingerprinting business would be provided by a separate regulating agency.

marilynreid41@gmail.com

16 Jan 2024

If I get certified for fingerprinting services on-line, can I do ink fingerprinting as a part of my mobile notary business South Carolina?

19 Jan 2024

Hello. Taking fingerprints is not part of a Notary's authorized duties in South Carolina. You would need to contact the state agency that manages fingerprinting certification for instructions regarding advertising fingerprinting services.

Julie

06 Sep 2023

I am in WA State and am a notary public. In addition, I also work at a university and frequently hear of various students who are in need of fingerprinting services for their licenses - post degree conferral. Can this be done in WA State? I am not finding anything online.

08 Sep 2023

Hello. Washington Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Steven

27 Aug 2023

Can I offer fingerprinting services with my notary here in NJ?

28 Aug 2023

Hello. New Jersey Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Marcia - Massachusetts

16 May 2023

I literally called to inquire this chain of comments due to I had an inquiry and as I’m explaining why I’m reaching out, and my questions unanswered I was hung up on. Unprofessional considering we’re businesses. I have reach out to my state / Governor in regards to my questions

19 May 2023

Hello Marcia. We apologize for any issues you had trying to request an answer to your question. In Massachusetts, Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their duties, so you would have to obtain authorization to conduct fingerprinting services separately.

conradloansigning@gmail.com

05 Feb 2023

I have been researching about offering finger printing service here in Michigan and I am still unsure if I can offer it as a mobile notary.

08 Feb 2023

Hello. Michigan Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Raquel Marcano

06 Dec 2022

Hello, I am in Connecticut, can I add fingerprinting services to my business? Thank You

Hello. Connecticut Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Cora Germany

03 Dec 2022

As a Virginia notary, I'd like to begin offering fingerprinting services. I can't find any prohibitive laws. Can you confirm I am safe to offer fingerprinting services?

Hello. Virginia Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Barb

10 Nov 2022

Hello I'm in Colorado. Can I add fingerprinting services to my business?

In Colorado, Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Latisha

02 Sep 2022

I’m in Texas and was wondering can I add fingerprinting service to my business.

Hello. Texas Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. Any authorization to take fingerprints in Texas would have to be obtained separately from Notary commissioning and certification procedures. However, please be aware that TX Notaries are not permitted to take thumbprints for their Notary journal entries: “A notary public (other than a court clerk notarizing instruments for the court) shall not record in the notary’s record book: … a biometric identifier, including a fingerprint, voice print, and retina or iris image” (1 TAC 87.50[a][3]).

LESLIE WHITE

22 Aug 2022

Can a Notary in North Carolina do fingerprinting? If no as a Notary - where would one go to find out information on fingerprinting for North Carolina?

25 Aug 2022

Hello. North Carolina Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

DeAnna Dunlap

23 Jun 2022

I am in Oklahoma. Can I offer fingerprinting services?

24 Jun 2022

Hello. Oklahoma Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Melissa

16 May 2022

I'm in Kentucky, can I do fingerprinting as a notary?

18 May 2022

Hello. Kentucky Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Nicole

09 Apr 2022

If nys cannot do fingerprinting as a notary what things are we able to do.

19 Apr 2022

Hello. New York Notaries are authorized to do the following as part of their official duties (EL 135): Take acknowledgments and proofs; Administer oaths and affirmations; Take affidavits and depositions; Demand acceptance or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, promissory notes and obligations in writing and protest the same for non-acceptance or non-payment; Certify that a tangible copy of the signature page and document type of an electronic record is an accurate copy (Executive Law Section 135-c, effective through January 30, 2022); and Open and inventory the contents of safe deposit boxes (Banking Law 335).

mobile fingerprinting unit

22 Mar 2022

Great Blog!

Shantel

03 Mar 2022

As a notary in DC can fingerprinting be offered as a service? Also, can a Nevada notary offer fingerprint as a service?

04 Mar 2022

Hello. In both jurisdictions, Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

cherryrn28@yahoo.com

17 Feb 2022

Can I include fingerprinting as a service as a Arizona notary?

18 Feb 2022

Hello. Arizona Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Tamika El Bey

10 Feb 2022

Can a notary in Tennessee do fingerprinting or is there specific training

Hello. Tennessee Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Diane

18 Jan 2022

Can a notary in in Missouri do fingerprinting or is there specific training

20 Jan 2022

Hello. Taking fingerprints is not part of a Notary's authorized official duties in Missouri. You would have to find out what the license requirements are to become a fingerprint technician in your state.

Marsha

15 Jan 2022

Can I include fingerprinting as a service as a Michigan notary?

TRICIA

06 Oct 2021

Can I notarize a fingerprint in Connecticut that is already on a document?

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Kandi

25 Sep 2021

I'm a new Notary in Missouri. I have 2 questions. First when should/would I need to have someone put their fingerprints in my journal when I notarize for them? (I see i place from them in my journal) I work in a Healthcare center, sometimes we need to have certified copies of medical records. Paper records, no problem, but how would I certify thumb drives?

28 Sep 2021

Hello. In Missouri, Notaries are not required to take a signer's thumbprint for their journal entries. Regarding certifying copies of electronic documents, MO Notary law states: A copy certification is “a notarial act in which a notary: “(a) Locates or is presented with a paper or an electronic document that is not a vital record, a public record, or a recorded document; “(b) Compares the document with a second paper or electronic document that is: “a. Presented to the notary; “b. Located by the notary; or “c. Copied from the first document by the notary; and “(c) Confirms through a visual or electronic comparison that the second document is an identical, exact, and complete copy of the image or text and, if applicable, metadata of the first document” (RSMo 486.600[4])." Please be aware that Missouri Notaries may not certify copies of vital records such a birth and death certificates, and also may not certify copies of documents from other states or countries (Missouri Notary Handbook).

A Anthony

21 Aug 2021

I am in Missouri and want to add fingerprint service to my business. Is it legal to do so in my state.

20 Sep 2021

1st Choice Fingerprinting

16 Aug 2021

Nice Blog!

MARIA CARMONA

05 Jul 2021

Can I take and/or certify fingerprints in Connecticut? I'm a notary public.

06 Jul 2021

Hello. You can add fingerprinting to your services if you wish. Since fingerprinting is not an authorized notarial act in Connecticut, you would have to find out what the license requirements are (if any) to become a fingerprint technician in your state or county.

29 Jun 2021

Nice blog!

Janine Gibbons

27 Jun 2021

Any special certification for a notary to fingerprint on Georgia?

01 Jul 2021

Hello. Georgia Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. Any authorization to take fingerprints in Georgia would have to be obtained separately from Notary commissioning and certification procedures.

Alisa Elder

14 Jun 2021

I am a notary in Delaware I want to know if I can add finger printing to my services

02 Jul 2021

Hello. You can add fingerprinting to your services if you wish. Since fingerprinting is not an authorized notarial act, you would have to find out what the license requirements are (if any) to become a fingerprint technician in your state or county.

Stacie

10 Apr 2021

Hello, I am a notary in the state of Texas. Can I provide a finger printing service that does not include my notarial services?

13 Apr 2021

Hello. Providing fingerprinting services as a business separate from your Notary services is not addressed in TX Notary law. However, please be aware that TX Notaries are not permitted to take thumbprints for their Notary journal entries: “A notary public (other than a court clerk notarizing instruments for the court) shall not record in the notary’s record book: … a biometric identifier, including a fingerprint, voice print, and retina or iris image” (1 TAC 87.50[a][3]).

Alexis

01 Feb 2021

Can I authorize fingerprints in Florida?

Hello. Florida Notaries are not authorized to perform fingerprinting services as part of their official Notary duties.

nequab2003@gmail.com

23 Jan 2021

In the state of Pennsylvania, can we take a persons fingerprints and/or Live Scan?

26 Jan 2021

Hello. Pennsylvania Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints or Live Scan as part of their regular official duties. Some PA Notaries are authorized to perform certain functions related to motor vehicle titles. Notaries interested in performing such duties may inquire with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) at the Regulated Client Services Section of PennDOT’s Dealer Agent Services Unit (1101 S. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17104).

southshorenotary@gmail.com

22 Jan 2021

I am a notary public in Massachusetts. Am I authorized to fingerprint a client and notarize the document?

Hello. Massachusetts Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official Notary duties.

Amber Mathews

15 Jan 2021

I am in NM and I was wondering if I would be able to do fingerprints and if so how do I go about being able to do this?

21 Jan 2021

Hello. New Mexico does not authorize Notaries to take fingerprints as part of their official duties.

Dara Cokyuksel

01 Jan 2021

Am I allowed, as a notary to take fingerprints in NYS?

06 Jan 2021

Hello. New York Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official Notary duties.

Alan D. Morton

21 Dec 2020

I am a notary public in South Carolina. Am I authorized to fingerprint someone? Do I need some type of certification, or is my status as a notary pubic sufficient ?

22 Dec 2020

Hello. No, South Carolina Notaries are not authorized to take fingerprints as part of their official duties. You would require separate qualifications in order to take fingerprints professionally.

Edgar pineda

26 Aug 2020

I live in Texas right now 3 years ago I moved from California and I was goin Through a hard situation so 1 week before I was leaving my brother and one of his friends that is a tax worker that had always does my brother income tax so they took me to an office of a notary person he told me to put my fingers prints on a paper and he stamped I ask that what their we’re going to do with the paper and he told me that he wanted me to help him at his office that he was going to train me because he wanted to help me giving me a job so now That I’m back on my feet I want to make sure that their not doing identity theft or something like thanks I hope someone can guide me

01 Sep 2020

Mariah Price

16 Apr 2020

Can a Notary in NJ be authorize to be a ten print fingerprint roller?

20 Apr 2020

Heidi Rettershofer

16 Jul 2019

I had my brothers fingerprints done by a notary in New Jersey The judge in fort Myers Florida is saying that we need a special stamp stating they are authorized Is a New Jersey notary authorized to take finger prints

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