To get something notarized, the general process involves the following key steps:
- The signer must appear in person before a notary public.
- Bring the completed document you want notarized along with a valid photo ID.
- The notary will check the document and verify the identity of the signer.
- The signer signs the document in the notary's presence.
- The notary completes the notarial certificate, signs it, and affixes their seal or stamp.
- Sometimes, the notary makes a journal entry recording the notarization.
Notarization ensures that the signature is genuine and that the signer was aware and willing at the time of signing. Nowadays, some states allow remote online notarization via secure video conferencing. Common places to get notarization services include banks, credit unions, shipping stores (like UPS or FedEx), law offices, and some government offices or libraries. Additional details:
- Notaries cannot give legal advice or decide the type of notarization the signer needs.
- Types of notarizations include acknowledgments, jurats, etc., and the notary follows the certificate wording.
- For remote notarization, identity is verified through a multi-step process and the notarization happens via live video.
This process helps deter fraud and ensures the document is legally recognized after notarization.
