·         A notary public cannot certify or notarize that a record is an original or a true copy of another record.

·         A notary public cannot notarize his or her own signature or take his/her own deposition.

·         A notary public cannot claim to have powers, qualifications, rights or privileges that the office of notary public does not provide, including the power to counsel on immigration matters.

·         A notary public is prohibited from using any term that implies the notary is an attorney, and from advertising in a foreign language, unless the following statement is prominently displayed in the same language: "I am not an attorney and have no authority to give advice on immigration or other legal matters." The appropriate fees as specified by statute must also be displayed.

·         A notary public cannot use the term "notario publico" or any equivalent non-English term.

·         A notary public cannot perform a notarial act in connection with a transaction if the notary is named in the transaction or has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction. 

·         A notary public cannot perform a notarial act for a family member.

A violation of the Michigan Notary Public Act is a misdemeanor.  Upon conviction, a person can be fined up to $5,000 and/or be imprisoned for up to one year.