The Step-By-Step Process to Get a Document Notarized
There are a few reasons why a document may need to be notarized. Continue reading to discover more about the procedure and the required actions to notarize your document.
The first step is to find a notary public that can help. You can find one online through a service like NotaryCam or Notarize.
Find a Notary Public
A notary public is an impartial witness who signs documents in various industries. They are responsible for confirming the legitimacy of papers and their signatures.
Getting a document notarized is usually relatively simple, but you must take a few steps to ensure a seamless procedure. These steps can save you time, money, and headaches.
Finding a local notary public should be one of your first tasks. You can do this by asking at your bank or credit union, checking the local courthouse and city hall, or searching online.
Bring the Document
Many documents need notarized, including title transfers for real estate or cars, powers of attorney, wills and trusts, and advanced directives. Notarizing these documents ensures they are legally binding and protects all parties involved.
You must present a document to a Notary Public to get notarized. They will verify your identity, witness your signature, and record the notarization process.
Make an Appointment
Many vital documents — from wills and powers of attorney to deeds and contracts — require notarization. It is because a notary public screens the signers of these documents and ensures that they are who they say they are and know what they are signing.
Notaries typically use one of several methods to identify a signer: personal knowledge, identification documents, or a credible witness. They also record their notarizations in a journal.
Arrive on Time
Getting a document notarized is often necessary for many types of transactions. These documents may include legal affidavits, tax forms, and even documents that transfer ownership of personal property.
It would be best to appear before a notary public, establish your identification, and sign the document to have it notarized. Bring everything you need, and make sure to arrive on time.
For example, if your name has changed due to marriage or divorce, be sure that the ID you bring to the notarization matches your current name. If there’s a significant discrepancy, the notary won’t be able to proceed with the notarization.
Give the Document to the Signers
Unlike wet ink signatures, digital signatures are fast and secure. They also ensure authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation.
Notarizing a document is essential for legal documents, such as deeds, affidavits, contracts, power of attorney forms, and more. It enables a signer to have their signature legally verified, according to the laws of the state in which they were signed.
A notarized document can be considered valid in all 50 states. To be safe, you should abide by your state’s laws, which can differ from state to state.
Get a Lawyer to Review the Document
Legal document review is a process that involves reviewing a contract or other legal document to make sure it is correct. If errors are caught early in the process, it can save you time and money.
A lawyer will carefully review the document and point out any errors that need to be changed. They will also ensure that all the details match up and that no loopholes exist in the contract.
Sign the Document
Before the notary public can notarize your document, you need to sign it. This step is crucial because it prevents anyone from stealing your signature.
The signer must show a valid ID with their picture on it. This ID needs to be issued by the state in which you live.
In most cases, this ID must match the name printed on the notarized document.
Notaries can verify a signer’s identity using personal knowledge, a credible witness, or a valid government ID. They can also only notarize a document if they are confident that you are who you say you are.
