Frequently Asked Questions

Documents are notarized to create a public record and to deter fraud. Once a document is notarized it may be recorded as a public document. A notary is an impartial public witness. Notarized documents may be used in courtroom proceedings or for other legal matters. Notaries also observe whether signers are knowingly or willingly signing documents. The signer must be in the physical presence of the notary before the notary may lawfully notarize. They may refuse if there is concern. 

A notary experienced in loan signings, typically an independent contractor. Real estate lenders, and title companies hire Signing Agents to deliver and obtain all signatures, intials and notarizations necessary to complete the loan process. Clients often do not realize that they may request their own Signing Agent. 

A notarial certificate is a signed acknowledgment in which a notary confirms the identity and physical presence of a person and the document they have presented. These may or may not include the presenter's signature. Documents that require an acknowledgement require only that the signer appear before the Notary and acknowledge they signed the document. These are the only notarized documents that may be signed ahead of time. 

If a client is incapacitated or it is impossible for them to appear personally, a Subscribing Witness must be used. This Subscribing Witness must be someone who personally knows the signer. The Notary must identify the signer with a photo ID and obtain a Jurat in which they confirm or attest to the signer's identity and verification of witnessing the signer sign the document. They must take an oath and certify in a Jurat that they know and witnessed the signer signing the document. 

Clients must have one of the listed identifications from the identification list on my Home Page. Photo ID mut be current within the past five years from the date of notarization. An I.D. or a credible witness is necessary to establish the signer’s identity.

No. They do not meet the listed requirements for identification.

A notary may not certify copies of vital records (birth, marriage or death). These must be obtained from state departments only. However a notary may give an oath or affirmation and a jurat for an affidavit that states the affiant's birthdate or age and/or includes a photograph or fingerprints. A signer may certify their own identity by swearing and/or affirming to the document containing that information. Signer must provide a certified copy of birth certificate, id card or driver's license.

Not necessarily. The name on the document can not be more than the name on the ID. For example Lisa Marie Jones on the id may allow for Lisa Jones, Lisa M. Jones or LMJ but not Lisa M. Jones-Brecker or Lisa Berlitz Marie Jones.

No a document containing blanks cannot be notarized.  

No. Most often the document states which type of notarization is required. If in doubt, one should contact the person requesting or receiving the document.  

A member of the public may request a journal entry from a notary if they have the month, date, year and type of notarization. A charge of .30 for each. Requester may pick up or be charged for delivery. 

Documents are valid in a foreign country only if accompanied by an Apostille. Official documents sent from the U.S. are valid only in countries that are members of the Hague Convention. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, they require a legalization which is also performed by the Secretary of State.  

An apostille confirms to its recipient that the individual who notarized had a valid commission. Without an apostille attached, a document sent between countries must go through a much longer authentication process by several different agencies in order to be accepted. Only an authorized authority under The Hague Convention usually the Secretary of State’s office or other Notary regulating agency is authorized to issue apostilles. Notaries for a fee may travel and take an Apostille to the Secretary of State.

The notary may notarize only the signature for the individuals who the notary witnesses the signature of.

When notarizing a signature made by a mark, a witness familiar with the signer must be used. The witness must write the marker's name by the mark and then sign the notary journal. The notary will make a special note.