Notary Service Online: Myths Debunked

Notary Services online are all the rage these days. Especially during the pandemic when social distancing norms are making you homebound, electronic notarization facilities arrive as a saviour. From transferring Power of Attorney to win Child Custody or real estate transactions, online notarizations are making things possible in the most hassle free manner.

In the U.S., a notary public state authenticates (notarizes) the signing of critical documents. Notarization helps in ensuring public trust, prevents fraud, and makes sure that you get the best of these services.

Despite such crucial tasks performed by the experts, there are several myths obscuring the notary services online. Here’s a look at some popular myths associated with online notary and what are the truth behind these.

Myth 1: Notaries are Lawyers that Draft Documents

No they are not lawyers or attorneys, henceforth cannot give legal advice or draft any legal documents. But, they can perform as an attorney and perform in the legal capacity for the clients. However, some attorneys are also notaries due to which they can perform in that capacity. Many paralegals are also notaries and are qualified to draft legal documents as well.

Myth 2: It’s easy to perform as a Notary

The job role of notary public is often distorted. With notary services online things becoming more distorted. Believe it or not, their job involves a lot more than merely signing and stamping documents. As an online notary, one needs to have a basic understanding of the paperwork involved in the process, the type of notarial act required, and the specific notarization language that must be used correctly on the document. So, ideally the job of a notary is not that easy and effortless, rather involves quite a lot of hassles.

Myth 3: Nobody oversees what a notary actually does

Public notaries are appointed by the state government to serve as an impartial witness when important documents are signed. They have legal responsibilities and may be subject to repercussions if they fail to follow the protocol mandated by their state. In most cases, a notary cannot act outside their home state unless they have a commission there as well.

Myth 4: Notaries are required to provide their services whenever they are requested

Well, no. They can’t unless you are availing notary services online. Even for that you have to get a prior appointment. Though a notary, being a public servant is never allowed to refuse providing notary service, sometimes they are legally required to do so, such as:

  • In case they suspect a fraud on the part of signer or the document he presents 
  • If the notary fails to identify the signer identity with the authentic ID Proof. 
  • In case the signer is subject to any duress while signing the document.

Notaries should never refuse service to someone because of race, religion, national origin, sexual preference, or because they are not a client or customer, since discrimination on any basis is not a suitable practice for a public official.

Myth 5: Notaries are obsolete

No way. How will notaries become obsolete when notarization of documents are needed at every step? Rather it has gain momentum with notary services online. Many businesses frequently require the notarization of documents, including mortgage lenders, loan officers, title companies, and law firms, and that too on an emergency basis. Accessing online notary arrives as the most important things ever.

Myth 6: Notarization makes a document legal

Contrary to popular belief, when a document is notarized, it means the the notary is authenticating the signer and his identity. The notarized stamp also means that the signer was not under any duress or coercion to sign it.. Notaries are not responsible for the legality of the documents they notarize.

Myth 7: Notaries provide their service for free

Do you ever provide your service for free of cost? No. Then how could you expect that a public notary will do it for free? But the service fee is charged as per government rules and regulations. The fees are actually set by state law and the public notary has nothing to do with it. However, the notaries are free to charge any fee up to the maximum limit allowed by their respective state law. Keep in mind that the notarization costs can widely vary depending on the services offered.

Final Thoughts

With notary services online, its popularity is widely engaging and you do not need to worry about emergency notarization, when the convenience is already there.

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