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| Angelika/Mike Schilli |
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Michael In America, if you need a certified copy of a document, you don't go to a government office, but instead look for a so-called Notary Public. In California, these are completely ordinary people who have completed a six-hour crash course, passed a test, obtained a certificate, and can then notarize documents with a stamp and their signature for two years.
At AOL, many years ago, I needed a certified copy of a document for the immigration office, and I asked around where I could get it done. To my surprise, I was directed to our secretary, who promptly pulled a stamp out of her handbag, placed it on the document, and signed it. She then recorded in a small notebook when and what she had just certified. She added with a wink that some "Notary Publics" charge a small fee for this ($5 or so), but since she knew me, I would get the service for free, haha!
At Yahoo, there is a list posted on the intranet that includes all employees who have the license to stamp documents. If you need something, you simply go to the employee's cubicle and have the stuff stamped. In our neighborhood in San Francisco, we also have a package delivery service that offers notary public services on the side. With German documents that they don't understand, some notary publics can be difficult, but with a bit of luck, you might find one who doesn't care and signs anyway with the attitude of "It's fine!"
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