Getting a document notarized near me
Getting a document notarized near me
Before you get started
What is a Notary
A notary is a public official who is authorized to witness and certify the execution of legal documents. Notarization confirms the signer's identity, willingness to execute the document, and comprehension of its contents.
The most common notarizations are for wills and powers of attorney.
Notaries are also useful in certain real estate transactions, such as the sale or transfer of property.
Know before you go
Acceptable forms of ID
As a notary, you are often required to verify the identity of the person signing a document. There are many forms of ID that you can accept as proof of identification, but some forms are more reliable than others. In this blog post, we will discuss the various types of ID that you can accept as proof of identification and explain why each is considered reliable.
Types of notarizations and the type you need
Notarizations are a range of services performed by notaries public. There are several types of notarization, each with its separate purpose:
Acknowledgment
Acknowledgment is the most common type of notarization. It requires the signer to appear before the Notary and present valid identification to prove their identity. The Notary will then witness the signing of documents and certify that the signer was who they claimed to be.
Jurats
A jurat is a notarization required when an individual signs a document under oath or affirmation before the Notary. This type of notarization requires a sworn statement from the signer.
The most common type of notarization certificate is an acknowledgment, which requires the signer to appear before the Notary and present valid identification. This type of notarization is necessary for most legal documents. Jurats are a more specialized type of notarization that requires the signer to swear or affirm an oath before the Notary. Depending on your needs, you may require one type of notarization or another. It is important to consult a qualified notary to determine the type of notarization you need.
In any case, it is important to understand the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat and to consult with the requestor of your notarized documents to determine which type of notarization is required. Knowing the type of notarization you need can help ensure that your documents will be legally recognized.
Questions to ask to get started
Do you need General or Speciality notary work?
Cheaper or more convenient?
When starting the notarization process and finding a licensed notary public, you will need to ask yourself a few questions to decide which of the options is best for you:
Am I looking for a lower cost or documents notarized quickly?
Do I need to get a document notarized that is easy and simple? Or does it need someone with extra training or extra time to assist and complete it?
Am I looking to visit a location with an appointment during a business' traditional hours or as a walk-in? Or would I like to set an appointment on my schedule either at my home or at a neutral location like a coffee shop?
How to get started
If you're searching for a qualified notary public in your local area, there are several options available to you.
Trusted Opinions
Asking family and friends for referrals is always a good starting point - they may be able to provide a personal recommendation based on their experience with such notary services. Additionally, contacting your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau will yield extensive lists of businesses offering notary services, including signing agents for real estate transactions like closing on house sales or purchases. These organizations can also provide valuable information about the fees associated with each service, so make sure to inquire ahead of time.
Professionals
Real estate and mortgage firms are also great resources when it comes to finding experienced signing agents. Most escrow offices and realtors can point you toward reliable signers who specialize in such tasks. Alternatively, if you want the convenience of having an agent come directly to you, consider using signing services provided by companies that screen each potential notary candidate thoroughly to ensure they have valid commissions and insurance.
Online Platforms
Many now offer Remote Online Notarization (RON) platforms that allow you to conduct “face-to-face” conversations from the comfort of your own home via computer - no need for physical contact! During these appointments, confidential information such as banking records and past living situations are verified just like when applying for a loan which eliminates the need for carrying around two forms of identification required during an in-person meeting.
Generic Notary Services
Paid
Ups Store
A UPS store or other mail locations typically have a notary public on staff available to offer notary services. These can be a one-stop shop so you can also take care of other tasks at the same time. Because of the many staff members, this is a great place to go if you need signature witnesses on your signatures. Unfortunately, you may be subject to long waits, a notary who floats between multiple locations, or the inability of the in-house notary to perform your exact needs. Many in-house notary service providers only have a few options on documents they are allowed by their company to notarize for liability reasons. Because of this, many of their staff do not have any additional training past the required state recommendations to become a notary.
Escrow offices
Many escrow offices have staff members who are also notaries to help with important documents or in-office signings. Please call ahead if you wish to sign at an escrow office to see if one of their locations can work for you.
Free
Banks and Credit Unions
Your local bank is a great place to get your documents notarized. If you belong to a credit union or go to a local branch of your bank, most banks in most states will offer free notarized documents. However, just like at UPS, you are subject to availability, wait times, bank hours, etc.
Online Search
Finally, if all else fails, searching online for “notaries public” or “notaries” followed by your city or town name should give you a comprehensive list of all the notaries public in your area with their corresponding contact details. This can be especially useful if other methods yield no results or don't fit into your schedule. Anyone providing notary services must have valid commissions and insurance coverage as well as be compliant with relevant state laws and regulations related to verifying document information - this is something that can be confirmed before getting started so it's always wise to inquire with whoever referred them (e.g., escrow office) whether they accept documents from that particular source first.
Overall, finding a reputable notary public doesn't have to be overly complicated - simply reach out to reliable sources within your local community or take advantage of signing services offered online for added convenience. With careful research and due diligence carried out beforehand on their commission status, insurance coverage, etc., there's no better way than getting peace of mind knowing exactly what kind of service they'll provide before taking part in any document verification process!