At some point in your life, you will need a notary to witness a document. A “notary public” is appointed by the state to act as a third-party witness when signing important documents, such as a will, deed, trust, affidavit, power of attorney, etc. A notary will ensure the person signing the document is who they say they are by checking their identification. Once signed, the notary impresses a seal on the document and issues a certificate.
The Duties of a Notary
A notary has a critical legal responsibility to ensure the individuals signing a document are verified with a picture ID. In some cases, a verbal acknowledgment may be required to confirm:
- The individual signing the document understands the content and purpose of it.
- The document is being signed with free will, without coercion.
- The signature is that of the individual.
In some cases, an oath or affirmation is required, such as affidavits and some types of applications. Documents that require an oath must be signed in front of the notary. If already signed, the notary will require the individual to sign it again.
To notarize a document, specific elements are required:
- The document's signer must be physically present.
- The notary must personally know the document's signer or see a satisfactory picture ID.
- The document must be original.
- The document must be complete.
- The document date must be the day of notarization or earlier.
- The document signing must be recorded.
- If a verbal acknowledgment is required, it must be performed.
- A notary certificate must be complete.
Types of Identification
A notary public must certify the identity of the person signing a document. Several types of identification are considered “satisfactory evidence” as long as the ID was issued within five years and includes a picture of the individual:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Military ID card
Several other types of state-issued ID cards are also acceptable. If the individual does not have an ID, two credible witnesses may be required to confirm the person’s identity.
When You Need a Notary Public
A notary may be required when signing specific legal documents, including:
- Power of Attorney
- Quitclaim Deed
- Passport Parental Consent
- Deed of Trust
- Contracts
- Affidavits
- Grant Deed
- Duplicate Title Application
- Bill of Sale
- Living Trust
- Temporary Guardianship
- Will
Notary Services, The Easy Way
If you need a notary, you want the process to be fast and efficient, as well as convenient. We offer notary services to the local community and make the process convenient. Connect with us to schedule the notary service. We can answer any questions about the ID you need, which is typically just your driver’s license. Call us to enjoy fast, efficient notary services.
