Enjoy the Hassle Free Process of Notarized Document

You may be wondering what a notarized document is and why do you need one? A notarized document is “the official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted. It is a three-part process, performed by a notary public, that includes vetting, certifying and record-keeping. Notarizations are sometimes referred to as ‘notarial acts’” (nationalnotary.org). A notarized document helps to protect all parties associated with the transaction. The notary public is responsible for verifying the identity of all signers of the document, witnessing the signature of all signers, and providing the notary stamp or seal.

The notary public is also responsible for making sure that each signer is signing of their own volition and is not coerced or forced into signing something against their will. There are many reasons that a singer may not be able to sign a document via their own volition such as a result of medication, intoxication, or possible lack of comprehension of the process of signing the document. If this is the case in any notarization process, the notary public will not be able to notarize the document. It is important that the signers are aware of the document that they are signing and its contents. It is not the responsibility of the notary public to read the entire document or provide advice on the document; however, it is the responsibility of the notary public to ensure that the signer is signing the document free from coercion or force and not against their will.

Once the notary republic has completed verification, they will witness the signers scribe their signature on the document. After all necessary acts are performed the notary public will provide their own signature and notary stamp or seal to the document. By adding their signature and stamp and seal, this completes the notarization process. It is important to note that a notarized document simply states that the signatures are legitimate on the document. It does not verify the information on the document as it is not the responsibility of the notary to review the document completely or offer advice on the document. It is simply the responsibility of the notary to verify the signature added to the document.

There are three different types of notarial acts: acknowledgements, jurats, and certified copies. “An acknowledgement is typically performed on documents controlling or conveying ownership of valuable assets…A jurat is typically performed on evidentiary documents that are critical to the operation of our civil and criminal justice system…A copy certification is performed to confirm that a reproduction of an original document is true, exact, and complete” (nationalnotary.org). A traditional in person notary can perform each of these types of acts; however, a remote online notary public legally cannot notarize all of these documents. When searching for a remote online notary, it is important to determine if they are legally able to notarize the document that you need notarized. If you are unsure, you can always ask the individuals/business in which the documents will be submitted upon completion of notarization.

This is merely a brief overview of the document notarization process; however, it is a good foundation for potential future online notarizations. If you choose to have a traditional notarization process, it will require you, the signer, to appear before the Notary with the document that you want to sign. The notary will review your identification and then complete the notarization with a physical signature and notary stamp. Currently, all states in the United States are authorizing the notarizing of documents electronically via a signature pad or through a computer or cell phone. Remote online notarization (aka “RON”) allows a notary, who is in a separate physical location than the signer to verify the signer and notarize the document. The document can then be used just as a document that was notarized through an in-person notarization.

One important note to remember when utilizing a remote online notary, is that you do NOT sign the document prior to connecting with the remote notary. It is important that the notary see you physically sign the document through utilizing remote online tools. Although you are not in the same location, legally the remote notary must still know that you are the one who is signing the document. The number one job of a notary is to verify the identity of the person and to see them physically sign the document. You will need to have all other information on the document filled in and completed prior to connecting with a remote online notary. Do not leave any blanks on the document, all information must be filled in and the document ready to sign prior to connecting with the remote online notary.