The Importance of Notarization
A notary public is an individual who has been commissioned by the state government to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. Notarization is the process of having a document signed in the presence of a notary public, who then affixes their official seal to the document. Notarized documents are typically used for legal or financial transactions, such as real estate transactions, loan applications, and power of attorney documents. While not all documents require notarization, understanding when notarization is necessary can save you a lot of time and hassle down the road.
When Does a Document Need to be Notarized?
There are four circumstances in which a document must be notarized:
*When the signer is making a sworn statement or affidavit.
*When the signer is authorizing another individual to act on their behalf.
*When the document is being used in relation to a matter before a court or other judicial body; or
*When the signer is transferring or mortgaging property.
Oftentimes, individuals will mistake notarization for authentication, thinking that having their documents notarized will make them legal. This is not the case—notarization simply means that the person signing the document appeared before a notary public and signed the document in their presence.
Notary Near Me – How Do I Find a Notary Public?
While there are more than 4 million active notaries in the United States, not all of them offer mobile services, and of those that do, only some will travel to your home or office. The best way to find a mobile notary in your area is to search online for “notary services near me” or “mobile notary near me.” This should bring up a list of local options, which you can then narrow down based on things like price, availability, and customer reviews. Once you’ve found a few reputable options, give them a call to discuss your needs and schedule an appointment.
Notarizing Documents
Notarization may seem like a small detail, but it’s actually quite important—after all, it’s one of the ways we protect against fraud and ensure that legal documents are binding. If you need to have a document notarized, remember that you don’t have to do it alone—the process can be easily outsourced to a mobile notary service near you. With just a quick online search and a phone call, you can rest easy knowing that your documents will be properly taken care of.
**Disclaimer: Notary Keeper does not confirm the accuracy of the document(s) being notarized outside of the notarial certificate. We do not legalize documents. Notary Publics cannot provide loan or legal advice, accept fees for legal advice under any circumstances, certify copies of documents recorded in the public records or notarize without an ID unless personally known by the Notary Public.