Notarial Certificates

1.           May I complete certificate wording in blue ink or do I have to use black?

The Notary should use a dark colored ink such as blue or black. In rare cases, some receiving agencies may require the certificate to be filled out in a particular color; if so, the Notary may comply.

2.           Can I list two signers on one notarial certificate?

If two signers appear before the Notary at the same time, the names may appear on the same certificate. Because it is two separate notarizations, two entries must be made in the journal.

3.           The venue is completed with the wrong state and county. My signer says I can't change it. What do I do?

The document shouldn't be notarized if the Notary isn't allowed to correct the wording. The venue is part of the notarial certificate, and regardless of the type of notarization, its accuracy is the Notary's responsibility. Because the venue is supposed to indicate where the notarization was performed, if it has already been completed incorrectly, it may be corrected by lining through the error, making the correction and initialing the change.

Can I notarize for a stranger with no identification?

Although identification laws vary by state, in most cases when a document signer is not personally known to the Notary and is not able to present reliable identification documents, that signer can be identified on the oath or affirmation of a credible identifying witness. In most states, the word of a credible identifying witness is satisfactory evidence of identity and equivalent to personal knowledge.

A credible identifying witness, often called simply a credible witness, is like a human ID card who identifies the document signer. The credible identifying witness must personally know the document signer and must also be personally known by the Notary. This establishes a chain of personal knowledge connecting the Notary with the signer.

For example, if a stranger without satisfactory identification requests a notarization, the Notary need not turn this person away if the Notary has a friend present who personally knows the individual. The friend could serve as a credible identifying witness.

By definition, a credible identifying witness is a believable person. Credible identifying witnesses should be honest, aware and impartial to the matter at hand. This means that the credible identifying witness should neither have a financial interest in a notarized document nor be named in it.

Welcome to NotaryTips

We are new and want to share some NotaryTips and other information I think will be of help for you.  Please don't hesitate to share your ideas.  So each day I will find a topic that you may find interesting.

Current Notaries - Sharing your insight on FaceBook.
Did you know that there are several groups for Notaries already established, that's right even the NNA has one.  But look beyond them and find the ones that are created by Notaries who just have more insight since they are hitting the road as mobile and giving you their first hand experience to learn from. Some others you might want to join are Escrow and Title groups.  Great way to get your name out there and reach out for more clients.   Some of the sights we are associated with are:

• US Notary Search
• Notary Signing Agents
• Notaries Daily Grind

These can also be great venues to find mentors if you are still new to the profession and looking to build your experience.  I myself text anyone interested whenever I am leaving for a client.  Make sure you let the client know if you are mentoring that you want to bring someone who is training.  I usually have them review the docs for signatures, initials and dates for the first few visits so that they get familiar with that practice and the docs.  Then as we go I ask them to complete the Journal for me so that they get used to this process.  Unless your are with a client not referred for loan docs, and you ask the client for permission you can have them do the notarizing.  When you are hired to do the loan docs, do not let anyone else do the notarizing, your client is expecting your name on each of those docs. 

Please let me know if you have topics you want me to address or suggestions.  Open to all...
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