You need to have your signature notarized on a document. You found Blue Ink Notary, a notary shop or a UPS store in your area. What happens next when you are in front of the notary is likely going through your mind. Here are 7 steps how to get your document notarized:
Personal Appearance - as a person needing notarization, you must personally appear before the notary at the time that services are requested. We must both be present in the same room when the notarization takes place. Notarization may not take place over the phone and you cannot send someone in place of you.
Direct Communication - the notary must be able to communicate with you directly in a language you both understand or indirectly through an interpreter who is also physically present at the time of the notarization. The interpreter must be able to communicate with the notary and the signer in a language the interpreter understands.
Willingness & Awareness - The notary will ensure that you are signing the document of your own free will and will also judge your ability to understand what is taking place.
4. Identifying the Document Signer(s) - Every person whose signature is notarized or who is administered an oath or affirmation by a notary has to be positively identified by the notary. This can be accomplished 3 ways (lean more about acceptable IDs here):
Personal knowledge of the signer's identity by the notary
Valid ID cards such as a driver's license or passport
Oath or affirmation of a personally known credible witness
5. The notary will: review your document to check for wording as to what type of notarization to perform; ensure that proper wording exists in the notarial section for the state in which the notarization will take place and verify that the name on the ID the signer presented matches the name on the document.
6. Next, the notary will record the notarization in their journal with all the details of the notarization: your name, date, time, fees, type of document etc.
FYI-state laws can vary as to what type of personal info the notary can include in the journal entry. For example, in Pennsylvania, notaries are permitted to put in the issue and expiration date only of the signer's ID they provided in the journal entry. Birthdays, ID numbers, social security numbers are not permitted.
7. Finally, the notary will administer an oath, if needed and then you will sign the document. The notary will complete the notarial certificate or the notarial block and affix the notary stamp to your document.
There you have it...the details to having your signature notarized on a document. Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions and I look forward to sharing more notary tips and info with you in the future.
Get in touch with us when you need traveling or online notary services, by calling 484-509-1405 or by email at brian@blueinknotarypa.com.