Notaries encounter incomplete or blank documents regularly: loan packages with missing dates, powers of attorney with unfilled fields, affidavits with blank jurats. Handling these correctly matters: completing a document improperly can invalidate the notarization, and in some states, notarizing a document with blank spaces is illegal. The Basic Rule Most states discourage or prohibit notarizing…
Most states require notaries to keep a journal of all notarizations. Even in states where it is not mandatory, a journal is your best protection if a notarization is ever challenged in court. Here is what to record, which fields are required where, and how to handle common situations. Required Journal Fields The exact fields…
Most notaries start as sole proprietors: you get your commission, buy your stamp, and start accepting work. No LLC needed. But once you are earning real money from signing agent work, the question comes up: should you form an LLC? This guide covers what an LLC does for you, what it costs, and when it…
A notary protest is a formal declaration that a financial instrument (usually a check or promissory note) was presented for payment and refused. It creates an official record of the dishonor that can be used as evidence in court. Most signing agents will never need to do one, but if you work with commercial clients…
Your notary journal is the single most important record you keep. If a notarization is ever challenged in court, your journal entry is the evidence that you followed proper procedure. Most states require one. Even if yours does not, keeping a journal is one of the best protections you have as a notary. What Every…
Mistakes happen. You write the wrong date on a notarial certificate, you stamp crooked and part of the seal is missing, or you forget to sign. The question is not whether you will make an error. It is what you do when it happens. Here is how to handle the most common notarization errors correctly….
Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) is the identity-verification method most states require for Remote Online Notarization (RON). It proves the person on the other end of the video call is who they claim to be by asking questions only that person would know. Here is how it works. How KBA Works Why KBA Is Required for RON…
People often ask a notary to certify that a photocopy of their birth certificate, marriage license, or death certificate is a true copy of the original. Whether you can do this depends entirely on your state. Many states prohibit notaries from certifying copies of vital records outright. Others allow it with specific procedures. Doing it…
A mobile notary is a commissioned notary public who travels to the client’s location to perform notarizations, instead of requiring the client to come to them. The notarization itself is the same: verifying identity, administering oaths, witnessing signatures. The difference is convenience: you go to the client. Mobile Notary vs. Traditional Notary Traditional Notary Mobile…
When someone needs a notarized document for use in another country, they need it certified. The certification method depends on which country they are sending it to. If the destination country is part of the Hague Convention, they need an apostille. If it is not, they need authentication (sometimes called legalization). Here is how both…
Every state commissions notaries differently. Some require exams, some require training, and some require neither. But the overall process follows the same general path. This guide walks through the steps that apply in every state, with specifics on where states differ. Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Before you apply, make sure you qualify. The requirements…
Managing a notary schedule is harder than it looks. You have walk-in requests, scheduled signings, drive time between appointments, and the occasional emergency call from someone who needs a notarization tonight. Without a system, you end up double-booked, late, or turning away work. Here is how to build a schedule that actually works. Start With…
Yes, you can notarize a minor’s signature. The process is similar to notarizing an adult’s, but there are extra steps around identity verification and parental consent that you need to get right. Here is what to know before you do it. The Basic Rule There is no minimum age for notarization in most states. If…
TikTok is not where most people look for a notary. But it is where millions of people spend time watching short videos, and some of those people will eventually need something notarized. A few notaries have built real followings on TikTok by posting quick tips and behind-the-scenes content. Here is what works, what does not,…
In a handful of states, notaries public can perform marriage ceremonies. It is a niche service, but one that pays well and adds variety to your notary work. This guide covers which states allow it, how to get authorized, and what to expect when officiating a wedding. States Where Notaries Can Officiate Not every state…
Instagram is not the first place most people look for a notary. But it is where real estate agents, mortgage brokers, title companies, and potential clients spend their time, and that makes it a useful tool for building your notary business, especially if you offer mobile or signing agent services. Set Up Your Profile What…
A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM, pronounced “heck-um”) is the most common type of reverse mortgage in the United States. It is an FHA-insured loan that allows homeowners age 62 and older to convert part of their home equity into cash without selling the home or making monthly mortgage payments. HECMs account for nearly all…
A matrícula consular is an identification card issued by Mexican consulates to Mexican nationals living abroad. It contains the holder’s name, photograph, date of birth, address, and a unique ID number. Many notaries encounter this document when notarizing for clients who do not have a U.S. driver’s license or state ID. Whether you can accept…
Notary training falls into two categories: courses your state requires before you can get commissioned, and courses you take voluntarily to learn the job. This guide covers both: which states mandate training, what the courses teach, where to find them, and what they cost. States That Require Notary Training About a dozen states require you…
A post-dated notarized document is one where the notarial certificate shows a future date instead of the actual date the notarization took place. This is different from a document that has a future date printed on it (like a lease starting next month). The issue is the date on your certificate, not the date on…
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