Which document can a notary public NOT prepare unless they are an attorney?

A notary public is not permitted to prepare a power of attorney unless they are also a licensed attorney. This is because a power of attorney is a legal document that grants one person the authority to act on behalf of another in legal or financial matters. It involves the application of legal expertise to ensure that the document meets the necessary legal standards and effectively conveys the intended powers.

In contrast, notarial certificates, birth certificates, and marital agreements can often be witnessed or certified by a notary without requiring the notary to be an attorney. Notarial certificates are simply affirmations by the notary regarding the authenticity of signatures or documents. Birth certificates typically involve verifying the identity of the individual requesting a copy, while marital agreements can often be signed and notarized as part of the process, as long as they are drafted by someone competent to do so. However, the intricacies involved in drafting a power of attorney necessitate legal training, which is why only licensed attorneys are authorized to prepare such documents.