Frequently Asked Questions
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All F.A.Q's
Where are you located?
A notary public is a state-appointed official who verifies and certifies the signing of legal documents. Their main role is to check the identities of the signers and prevent fraud. A notary public acts as a neutral witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signers know and agree to what they are signing. They also administer oaths or affirmations.
What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a state-appointed official who verifies and certifies the signing of legal documents. Their main role is to check the identities of the signers and prevent fraud. A notary public acts as a neutral witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signers know and agree to what they are signing. They also administer oaths or affirmations.
What service is unauthorized for a Notary?
The unauthorized practice of law refers to providing legal services without holding a valid attorney license. A Notary is prohibited from:
-
Selecting the specific document a client requires for a transaction.
-
Determining the type of notarization or the wording of certificates on a document. The client is responsible for these decisions.
-
Drafting, preparing, or advising on how to complete any documents.
-
Offering legal advice or responding to legal questions.
These services must be performed exclusively by licensed attorneys; non-attorney Notaries are not permitted to engage in them.
What are the two types of Notarial acts?
-
Acknowledgment Certificate
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer, after identity verification, voluntarily signed the document in the presence of the Notary. -
Jurat Certificate
A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm the accuracy of the document's content before the Notary. The Notary will administer an oath, and the signer’s signature must be witnessed.
Can a Notary show/tell me how to complete a document?
By law, a notary is prohibited from explaining or interpreting the contents of any document, providing guidance on how to complete a document, or advising whether you should sign a specific document. For all legal matters, you should seek the counsel of an attorney.
What documents can I have notarized?
Many types of documents can be notarized, such as affidavits, powers of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts, and others. Please see our list of eligible documents for notarization by clicking here.
What documents are NOT eligible for notarization?
Vital Records cannot be notarized. A vital record is a government document containing information about a person’s important life events, such as:
-
birth certificates
-
death certificates
-
marriage certificates
The two main authorities that issue certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce records) in the State of Maryland are: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Division of Vital Records and Local Health Departments (County Health Departments).
How much is a notarization?
The cost can vary by the type of document, the number of signers, and the quantity of notarizations. Please visit the pricing page for a standard quote. If you are unsure of the cost for your unique situation, please don't hesitate to contact me for a personalized quote.
When is payment due?
Payment is due at the time of booking your appointment. We accept various payment methods, including PayPal. Once your payment is received, a confirmation email will be sent to you to finalize your appointment.
What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds for completed notary tasks. If we cannot provide the service due to unforeseen circumstances, a refund will be issued. Mistakes on our part will be rectified to ensure your satisfaction. Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance are eligible for a refund, while those made within 24 hours forfeit the fee. Please check our full return/refund policy here.
What identification is accepted?
You are required to provide a VALID government-issued photo ID, such as:
-
U.S. State Issued Driver’s License
-
U.S. State Issued Photo ID
-
U.S. Passport Book
-
Certificate of US citizenship
-
Certificate of Naturalization
-
Foreign Passport
What do I need for my notarization?
You are required to present a valid government-issued photo ID and have access to a device equipped with a camera and microphone. For U.S. residents, identity verification will include a Social Security number check, ID verification, and Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions. Foreign nationals without a U.S. Social Security number can be authenticated through biometric verification using only a foreign passport. Additional acceptable forms of identification are listed above. After verification, you will connect with the notary on a secure virtual platform via audio and video for the notarization process.
Who can be a witness?
An eligible witness must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid form of identification. They must remain impartial, having no personal interest or involvement in the document or transaction being witnessed. The witness must be physically present to observe the signer execute the document. Additionally, they are required to sign the document as a witness and include their printed name and address.
All F.A.Q's
Where are you located?
A notary public is a state-appointed official who verifies and certifies the signing of legal documents. Their main role is to check the identities of the signers and prevent fraud. A notary public acts as a neutral witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signers know and agree to what they are signing. They also administer oaths or affirmations.
What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a state-appointed official who verifies and certifies the signing of legal documents. Their main role is to check the identities of the signers and prevent fraud. A notary public acts as a neutral witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signers know and agree to what they are signing. They also administer oaths or affirmations.
What service is unauthorized for a Notary?
The unauthorized practice of law refers to providing legal services without holding a valid attorney license. A Notary is prohibited from:
-
Selecting the specific document a client requires for a transaction.
-
Determining the type of notarization or the wording of certificates on a document. The client is responsible for these decisions.
-
Drafting, preparing, or advising on how to complete any documents.
-
Offering legal advice or responding to legal questions.
These services must be performed exclusively by licensed attorneys; non-attorney Notaries are not permitted to engage in them.
What are the two types of Notarial acts?
-
Acknowledgment Certificate
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer, after identity verification, voluntarily signed the document in the presence of the Notary. -
Jurat Certificate
A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm the accuracy of the document's content before the Notary. The Notary will administer an oath, and the signer’s signature must be witnessed.
Can a Notary show/tell me how to complete a document?
By law, a notary is prohibited from explaining or interpreting the contents of any document, providing guidance on how to complete a document, or advising whether you should sign a specific document. For all legal matters, you should seek the counsel of an attorney.
What documents can I have notarized?
Many types of documents can be notarized, such as affidavits, powers of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts, and others. Please see our list of eligible documents for notarization by clicking here.
What documents are NOT eligible for notarization?
Vital Records cannot be notarized. A vital record is a government document containing information about a person’s important life events, such as:
-
birth certificates
-
death certificates
-
marriage certificates
The two main authorities that issue certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce records) in the State of Maryland are: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Division of Vital Records and Local Health Departments (County Health Departments).
How much is a notarization?
The cost can vary by the type of document, the number of signers, and the quantity of notarizations. Please visit the pricing page for a standard quote. If you are unsure of the cost for your unique situation, please don't hesitate to contact me for a personalized quote.
When is payment due?
Payment is due at the time of booking your appointment. We accept various payment methods, including PayPal. Once your payment is received, a confirmation email will be sent to you to finalize your appointment.
What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds for completed notary tasks. If we cannot provide the service due to unforeseen circumstances, a refund will be issued. Mistakes on our part will be rectified to ensure your satisfaction. Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance are eligible for a refund, while those made within 24 hours forfeit the fee. Please check our full return/refund policy here.
What identification is accepted?
You are required to provide a VALID government-issued photo ID, such as:
-
U.S. State Issued Driver’s License
-
U.S. State Issued Photo ID
-
U.S. Passport Book
-
Certificate of US citizenship
-
Certificate of Naturalization
-
Foreign Passport
What do I need for my notarization?
You are required to present a valid government-issued photo ID and have access to a device equipped with a camera and microphone. For U.S. residents, identity verification will include a Social Security number check, ID verification, and Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions. Foreign nationals without a U.S. Social Security number can be authenticated through biometric verification using only a foreign passport. Additional acceptable forms of identification are listed above. After verification, you will connect with the notary on a secure virtual platform via audio and video for the notarization process.
Who can be a witness?
An eligible witness must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid form of identification. They must remain impartial, having no personal interest or involvement in the document or transaction being witnessed. The witness must be physically present to observe the signer execute the document. Additionally, they are required to sign the document as a witness and include their printed name and address.