Which of the following describes the general authority to certify copies in Connecticut?

• A. A notary public can certify copies of any document.
• B. Only the appropriate official authority issues certified copies.
• C. A court clerk always certifies copies.
• D. The department of motor vehicles certifies all copies.

Answer: (B)

Certification of copies must come from the official custodian of the record. In Connecticut, the power to issue a certified copy rests with the authority that created or maintains the document, not with a notary or any officer at random. This ensures the copy is an authentic and verifiable representation of the original. For example, birth certificates are certified by the vital records office, court documents by the court clerk, and DMV records by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Notaries witness signatures and administer oaths, but they do not have blanket authority to certify copies of every document. Hence, the general rule is that only the appropriate official authority issues certified copies.