New York State Notary Practice Exam

Making a false certificate is classified as which degree of forgery?

1. First degree

2. Second degree

3. Third degree

4. Fourth degree

The correct answer is: Second degree

The classification of making a false certificate as second-degree forgery is based on the nature of the act and its potential consequences. In New York State, forgery offenses are categorized by the extent of the fraud and the intent to deceive. Second-degree forgery typically involves the forging of documents that are intended to be used as evidence of a person's legal status or rights, such as certificates. When an individual creates or alters a certificate falsely, it misleads others and can have serious legal implications, such as affecting someone's identity or rights. The act is not merely a fabrication; it can impact public trust and legal processes, hence its classification as a more severe crime than third or fourth-degree forgery, which pertain to lesser acts of forgery without the same level of impact on legal documents or public trust. Therefore, recognizing making a false certificate as second-degree forgery underscores the seriousness of creating false legal documents.