Passport Renewal - Supporting Documents

[forceindia]

I am looking to get my passport renewed at the SFO Consular Office and saw their website states that we have to get the supporting documents notarized when doing it via mail. My friends have got their passports renewed without getting the documents notarized and say that we don't really need to get them notarized. Is that the case ?

Please help.

[txh1b]

What is the issue to follow the given guidance on their webpage? Is notarization such a big problem? You have one available at the post office, your bank or any check cashing facility.