Typically, a notary public can only make certified copies from an original document. In some cases, such as when the original document no longer exists, a notary public can make a note on the certified copy that it is “a photocopy of a photocopy,” states the National Notary Association.rocess. For a notary public to make a copy certification, the holder of the original document must appear before the notary along with the original document. The notary then verifies the custodian's identity, makes the copy, fills out a copy certification form, and applies the official notarized stamp.