What The Public Can Expect When Having Documents Notarized?

• The document signer(s) requesting the notarization must appear before the Notary Public.
• The signer must present acceptable primary identification, e.g., driver’s license, state identification card, or passport. The Notary Public assesses the competency and willingness of the signer.
• The Notary Public will record the details of the notarization, e.g. date and time of notarization, type of notarial act performed, description of the document, method of identifying the signer, and obtain the signer’s signature in the Notary’s fair register or journal.
• Depending upon the type of notarization performed, the Notary may witness the signer’s signature, ask the document signer to acknowledge that he/she signed the document willingly, or administer an oath or affirmation to the signer. The Notary completes the notary certification by dating, signing, writing the notary commission expiration date, and placing the notary seal on the document.