Can a notary public notarize a private school diploma?

Answer 1

I think there may be some confusion as to the role of a notary. If you or another are signing something, they will - assuming you both have your IDs - notarize it for you. Which is just them saying, "I saw this person or that person sign this paper."

A diploma might be signed, but that is usually by a copied signature of the principal or some such. It does not have to be notarized, the "proof" of a diploma is in the school keeping in their records the fact of your graduation.

Another traditional notary function is to vouch for a photocopy as genuine. Many U.S. states have restricted this function in recent years, especially for government-issued documents. In this case, the notary will tell you to get a certified copy from the issuer. You would think that the original would be better than a copy, even a notarized or certified one. But many countries require a notarized or certified copy for business visas, work permits and so forth.