Choosing and Using a Notary Public
Notary publics are public servants appointed by state governments who act as witnesses for official signatures. You might need a notary if you are selling a car or transferring power of attorney. Documents need to be notarized to deter fraud as well as to ensure that they are properly executed. The notary, as an impartial witness, is able to prevent fraud by identifying the signers and making sure they are who they say they are and that they have entered into the specific agreement both knowingly and willingly.
If you ever find yourself in need of the services of a notary public, it’s actually far easier to find one than the importance of their responsibilities might make you think. The following are some brief tips intended to help you choose a reliable notary public:
- If you receive specific documents that need to be notarized at an office, check with the person giving you these documents to see if there is a notary on staff. This option will encourage you to get the documents notarized then and there rather than waiting and possibly losing the documents or having to spend any time later searching for a notary.
- If you need to hit the streets to track down a notary, try contacting an insurance company. Insurance companies generate so many legal documents that there is a good chance that they may have a notary working for them.
- Your local post office might also provide notary services. Getting your documents notarized there is especially convenient if they need to be mailed.
- Check your bank. Many banks provide free notary services to their customers. Although, your access to this service may depend on the type of account you have.
- If you are still having difficulty locating a notary, try calling your public library or your local courthouse for additional suggestions.
When you finally find a notary, there are a few more things you need to keep in mind:
- Ask the notary if there is a fee for their service. Some notaries will not charge you for their time.
- Make sure everyone who needs to sign the documents is present.
- Be sure you and anyone else who will be signing the document has a valid photo ID that includes a signature.
- Never sign the documents beforehand. The purpose of the notary is to witness your signature, so they need to actually see you do it in their presence in order to notarize your document.