Certificate of conformity waived

Todd v Green, 2014 NY Slip Op 08004 (2d Dept. 2014)

Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C, Garden City, N.Y., for appellant. (shameless self promotion)

“The Supreme Court determined that the plaintiff’s affidavit of merit, notarized in Georgia, lacked a proper certificate of conformity as required by CPLR 2309(a), and denied the motion, with leave to renew upon the submission of a proper affidavit. The plaintiff appeals.”

” A party’s right to recover upon a defendant’s failure to appear or answer is governed by CPLR 3215′” (U.S. Bank, N.A. v Razon, 115 AD3d 739, 740, quoting Beaton v Transit Facility Corp., 14 AD3d 637, 637). Thus, a plaintiff moving for a default judgment against a defendant must submit proof of service of the summons and complaint, proof of the facts constituting the claim, and proof of the defaulting defendant’s failure to appear or answer (see CPLR 3215; U.S. Bank N.A. v Poku, 118 AD3d 980; U.S. Bank N.A. v Razon, 115 AD3d at 740; Dela Cruz v Keter Residence, LLC, 115 AD3d 700). Here, in support of his motion to enter a default judgment, the plaintiff met all of these requirements (see U.S. Bank N.A. v Poku, 118 AD3d 980). Although the Supreme Court [*2]found that the plaintiff’s affidavit lacked a proper certificate of conformity, it should have considered the affidavit since the absence of a certificate of conformity is not a fatal defect (see Midfirst Bank v Agho, 121 AD3d 349; Gonzalez v Perkan Concrete Corp., 110 AD3d 955, 960; Fredette v Town of Southampton, 95 AD3d 940, 942). Further, even if the subject certificate of conformity was inadequate, the defendant failed to answer or appear in opposition to the motion, and it was inappropriate for the Supreme Court to, sua sponte, raise the issue on the defendant’s behalf (see Midfirst Bank v Agho, 121 AD3d 349).

The moral of the story  is to take a stand when you think the Court is treating you like a no-fault defendant in Civil Kings, Special Term.  The appellate courts sometimes get it right.

Related Articles

• CPLR 2309 Compliance: Navigating Notarization Requirements in New York Litigation
• CPLR 2309 Requirements: Understanding Affidavit Attestation Rules from the Appellate Division, Second Department
• Renewal Under Certain Circumstances May Be Granted to Correct an Improper Affirmation: A Comprehensive Guide to CPLR 2106 Requirements
• The Failure to Place Evidence in Proper Form Cannot Be Cured in a Supplemental Opposition
• New York No-Fault Insurance Law

Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2014 post, CPLR 2309’s certificate of conformity requirements for out-of-state notarizations may have been subject to regulatory amendments or clarifications through subsequent court decisions and rule changes. Additionally, default judgment procedures under CPLR 3215 have been refined through ongoing appellate decisions. Practitioners should verify current provisions regarding out-of-state notarization requirements and default judgment motion standards.