Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by the state, typically Secretary of State to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. These official acts are called notarizations, or notarial acts.
What is a Mobile Notary?
A mobile notary is a Notary Public that travels to various locations to perform the notarial acts, notarizations.
What is a Loan Signing Agent?
A Loan Signing Agent is a Notary who has been trained to handle loan documents. Lenders and title companies hire Signing Agents as independent contractors to assist in the last step of the loan process.
How does a Notary identify a signer?
A Notary will ask to see a current ID that has a photo, physical description and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a Driver's License or passport.
What do Mobile Notaries charge?
Pricing varies depending upon travel, the amount of documents, printing/scanning of documents, and how many notarial acts performed.
What are some things a Notary Public will not notarize?
Notaries do not notarize a photograph
Do not notarize birth certificates or any vital record or public record
Do not certify a person's residency or citizenship status
Do not prepare legal documents, or immigration papers.
What are some reasons a Notary Public will refuse to notarize?
The signer is not physically present,
The signer is mentally incapacitated,
The signer appears drunk, sedated, or disoriented or if the Notary suspects that the document(s) are illegal, false, or deceptive,
If the notary believes the signer does not understand the consequences of signing the documents,
If there are one or more signers and/or witness that do not agree to signing the document,
If the signer(s) cannot produce acceptable identification; and/or the signer cannot produce "Two Credible Witnesses," to identify the signer.
Why do documents need to be notarized?
The main purpose is to deter fraud. The Notary Public's main purpose is to be an impartial witness, to ensure that the person signing the document(s) are who they say they are and are knowingly and willingly to sign.
Why are Notaries necessary?
Notaries are necessary to deter fraud in the process of notarization and establish that the signer know what documents they are signing and that they are a willing participant in the transaction.