(1) The authenticity of the official seal and signature of a Montana notarial officer may be evidenced by a certificate of authority from the secretary of state confirming the authority of a Montana notarial officer to perform a notarial act on a record that will be sent to a foreign country. The certificate must be in a form prescribed by the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, or in a form approved by the United States department of state.
(2) A certificate of authority may not be issued for a record that is intended for use within the United States, including its territories, or by a federally recognized tribe.
(3) The secretary of state may refuse to issue a certificate of authority if the secretary of state has reason to believe that the record may be used within the United States, including its territories, or by a federally recognized tribe, or for any unlawful, fraudulent, or improper purpose.