What is a copy certification, and an important limitation on it?

A copy certification is a notarial act (where authorized) in which the notary certifies that a photocopy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of an original document presented to them. An important limitation is that notaries generally may not certify copies of vital records (such as birth, death, or marriage certificates) or other publicly recorded documents, because certified copies of those must be obtained from the official record-keeping agency. The notary also typically must be able to compare the copy to the original. Knowing both what a copy certification is and the common restrictions on it is standard notary content, and the rules vary by state.