Notarized documents are documents that have had their authenticity confirmed by a notary public. To ensure that the process is legitimate and that the documents can be trusted by the authorities who requested them, notarization includes the witness and record of the signing of documents.
Note that:
- Documents that have been notarized have had their authenticity confirmed by a notary public.
- A notary public is a qualified representative whose duties include witnessing signings, recording the notarization process, and verifying identities; they do not guard against fraud or render legal counsel.
- You must complete a series of steps in order to have documents notarized, including waiting for a notary to witness before signing anything.
- Furthermore, you can get documents notarized at financial institutions, law firms, and postal services, among many other commercial locations, or through particular service providers.
- Finally, online notarization might be possible for some less formal documents.
How Does Notarization Work?
Obtaining a notarized document merely certifies the validity of a signature. Notaries are not expected or required to read the content, analyze it for you, or offer legal counsel. Nor will your notary alert you to any problems you may be signing up for. All they do is confirm when and who signed a document.
Additionally, after being notarized, a document may or may not immediately take on official status. A properly completed and notarized document may be sufficient to carry out an agreement if a valid signature is all that is required. Consult a local attorney for advice on the laws in your area and your specific situation.
Examples of Notarized Documents
Notarized documents have been authenticated after being signed in front of a notary public. The notary public is an official who witnesses the signatures, confirms the signatures’ authenticity, logs the event in a formal log, and then stamps (or “seals”) the document.
Note that documents usually require notarization if they handle important financial or legal matters that require a great deal of trust from all parties named in the document. Other types of documents that may need a notary are those that have the potential for fraud.
For example, when you sign away a significant sum of money when you name a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, you won’t be there to attest to the transaction. Powers of attorney, wills and trusts, advanced directives and other healthcare-related forms, handgun permits, and transfers of title for vehicles or real estate are just a few examples of the numerous types of documents that frequently call for notarization.
What Is A Notary?
A notary is a legally recognized representative who acts as an unbiased witness to the signing of a legal document. Real estate deeds, affidavits, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, bills of sale, and other official transactional documents are among the signings that typically call for a notary’s services. A notary is primarily used to prevent fraud.
Note that:
- A notary serves as an objective eyewitness to the authentication or signing of a legal document.
- Affidavits, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and real estate deeds are a few documents where notaries are necessary.
- Notaries must be at least 18 years old and citizens of the state in which they hold their commission. Following that, the procedures for becoming a notary vary from state to state.
- A good source of education and knowledge about notaries is the National Notary Association (NNA).
Responsibilities Of The Notary
A notary’s responsibility is to confirm the validity of each signature on a document. This occurs after several thorough checks:
#1. Identity verification:
Anyone signing a document must show identification, and the notary records information about the identification documents each person presents.
#2. Willing signers:
A notary has to watch for indications of coercion. Even if you disagree with a document’s contents, are you signing voluntarily, or is someone pressuring you to do so?
#3. Capable of sound decisions:
A notary should confirm that signers have the legal capacity to sign and that they are in a state where they can clearly understand what they are signing. The notary cannot notarize the document if the signer is intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or otherwise incapable of understanding what is happening.
Therefore note that if the signer poses any potential issues, the notary will decline to validate the signature.
Finally, getting a document that involves criminal activity notarized is possible. You can also obtain one that is useless because it is not enforceable under the laws of your state. You must be aware of what you’re signing because notaries cannot give you legal counsel.
Why Does A Document Need To Be Notarized?
Notarization is a crucial component of signing contracts and numerous other official documents, and it aids in preventing fraud. When a document needs to be notarized, a notary public must be present to witness your actual signature and confirm your identity. The notary also confirms that you are signing voluntarily and that you are familiar with the transaction’s or document’s contents.
Additionally, the contract or other document will then be “notarized” by them by adding their signature and official stamp.
What Documents Need To Be Notarized?
Only specific types of paperwork require a notary’s seal; not all paperwork that must be signed must be notarized. Although laws differ from state to state, they typically cover real estate transactions, specific legal documents, a wide range of financial documents, and some healthcare-related forms. Documents that need to be notarized typically make that clear and include space for the notary’s seal and signature.
The following are some of the most typical types of documents that require notarization:
- Articles of incorporation.
- Real estate contracts and property deeds.
- Legal affidavits.
- Loan documents.
- Powers of attorney.
- Passport applications.
Where Can I Notarize a Document?
Many notaries advertise their services and provide contact information on listings or websites. Notaries are employed by numerous packaging companies, postal services, postal centers, and copy shops. Among the locations where a document can be notarized are:
- Post offices
- Banks and credit unions
- Real estate firms
- Tax and accounting Offices
- Libraries and Colleges
- Shipping stores
Nevertheless, you can also search online for local online notaries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some states started looking into electronic and remote notary options. Following the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic, legislation allowing Remote Online Notarization (RON) has been passed in many states.
Therefore, using RON, as long as the requirements of your state are met, you can access a notary’s services online from anywhere. The office of the Secretary of State is typically responsible for regulatory compliance; to find out if RON is accessible, contact your Secretary of State.
How To Get A Document Notarized Online
#1. Notarize:
On the Notarize website or app, you can sign up, upload your document, and confirm your identity. Once your electronic signature has been witnessed, signed, and a notarial seal added to your document, you can connect with a live notary. Your notarized document will be available to you digitally, or you can send it somewhere else.
#2. OneNotary:
With an online platform like OneNotary, you can have speedy online notarizations. On the business website, there is an online scheduler where you can book a time slot for a 15-minute online notary service. You will immediately receive an email invitation with additional information after registering. While a few other businesses do provide quick service, the majority don’t let you set up appointments or guarantee a specific time frame.
#3. Nexsys Technologies:
With the top online notary service for real estate transactions, Nexsys Technologies stands out. The technology used by the business focuses on notarizations for closings and originations of multi-page mortgages.
#4. NotaryCam
NotaryCam is a unique online notary service that can work with multiple signers for a notarization, even if they are in different locations.
What Makes A Notarized Document Invalid?
A notarized document will also be rejected if the notary’s seal has expired. In other instances, a notary stamp impression that is too light or dark, smudged, or incomplete may cause the notarization act to be rejected or void.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Document Notarized In Canada?
In Canada, the first notarization (which includes the notary’s stamp and signature) costs $37, and subsequent notarizations cost $22 each.
How do I notarize a document in California?
In California, the signers of a document must physically appear before a state-appointed notary to complete the signature. Before the notarization session starts, the document needs to be completed and checked for any mistakes or changes.
The required notarization fee must be paid by the signers at the time of notarization. A legitimate form of identification must be shown by both signers to the notary to establish their identities. These IDs can consist of:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Military ID card
- Government-issued ID card
- Permanent resident card
Thereafter, the document will now be reviewed by all signing parties before they all put their signatures on it. The signature confirms that the signer has read the document in its entirety and that they have voluntarily signed it.
Then the notary applies their signature and seals the document after it has been signed by each signatory, and they also record the transaction in their notarial journal. The document is notarized and immediately becomes legally binding once this seal is used.
How Powerful Is A Notarized Document?
A notarized document, according to the circumstances of the case, has some legal resemblance. For once, having one duly notarized means that it is changed from a purely private document to a public one that can be quickly requested by a court of law if necessary. Additionally, the parties who signed the agreement are required to abide by its terms, which increases the article’s credibility.
Furthermore, the fact that notarized documents may be made admissible in court is another crucial point to be aware of. As a result of their notarization, they can be regarded as tangible evidence. These documents are typically used to prevent fraudulent transactions because of their nature, especially when it comes to business and legal contracts. Note that if found guilty of falsifying notarized documents, attorneys risk losing their licenses and, worse yet, imprisonment.
Can I Write A Document And Have It Notarized?
A document with handwriting on it can be notarized. To make sure they will accept a handwritten document, you must first confirm with the organization or authority to where you are submitting the document.
What Is Notarized Translation?
A notarized translation is, to put it simply, a translation that is signed by the translator and notarized to confirm its legitimacy. It is not a quality control measure because it neither attests to nor affirms the caliber of the work.
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