Did you know that the use of notaries is one of the greatest barriers to identity theft? Even with today’s advanced technologies and programs, traditional notary services are still an effective weapon against identify theft for small and large businesses.
As required by law, all of our entries are maintained in our record book, and are considered public information. Although not required, it is a good idea when making requests for records to do so in writing with a certified letter.
“The Notary shall record every notarial act in a bound journal or other secure recording device and safeguard it as an important public record.” Principle VIII of the Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility.
In a “Jurat” notarization, the process is similar to the “Acknowledgement” notarization, with the added condition that the notary administer an oath to the signer, affirming that the document’s content is true (to the best of the signer’s knowledge).
Some situations may require executing a document and having it notarized using a subscribing witness. A number of conditions must exist and a strict protocol followed for a notary public to notarize the document.
Why is it a good idea to use the services of a notary even for contracts which are not required to be notarized by the state? Because without the protection of a notary seal the signature can be disputed in court, and it can be difficult to prove someone signed a document.
Every detail counts in legal situations, which is why court documents and other legal documents insist on having statements signed in front of legally appointed witnesses. Fortunately, that's exactly what notary publics are, and they can make it convenient to properly sign your documents.
What was the first official legal act concerning the use of notaries? The first Notaries Act, the novella 44, written in the Corpus Juris Civilis of Emperor Justinian of the Roman Empire in the year 535. This initial act, provided the foundation for notary positions in Europe hundreds of years later.
County court houses have a lot of different things going on, which means their personnel can be incredibly busy, not to mention the hassle of navigating parking, crowds, or security. Notary publics are a much more convenient way to officially sign legal documents without having to wade through the courthouse.
Acceptable forms of photo identification include a: state issued driver’s license, passport, state issued ID card, United States military ID, Certificate of United States citizenship, and a few others. If you are unsure, please call us and ask.
You could notarize a document to help you to remember something important. For example, siblings can make claims to different furniture and artwork belonging to their parents and then pull out a notarized form of that document years down the road when it’s time to divide their property.
Throughout history, notaries have carried with them a certain amount of importance due to their objectiveness and outward morality. Even in present times, these characteristics remain an important part of being a notary.
In most states in the country, notaries are appointed for a certain number of years. A four-year term is common and used in states such as Maryland and Illinois. In Louisiana, the only state in the country that uses Napoleonic Law, notaries receive lifetime commissions.
Remember, the fees can vary depending on the type of notary you need and the nature of the document. If you have any questions about our fees prior to your visit, please feel free to give us a call.
Notaries are commissioned by individual states, so a notary may only deal with documents in the state in which he or she is commissioned. To become a notary, you must initially be registered to vote in that state.
Did you know that Calvin Coolidge was initially sworn into the presidency by his father, who was a notary? Other well-known notaries include actor Stanley Tucci and actress and singer Jennifer Lopez.
Why do some documents with no legal implications require notarization? In some cases, the notary requirement indicates the importance of a document. For example, some local towns require notarized forms when a family is seeking permission for their kids to play sports at a playground that isn’t in their home district.
While notaries were used throughout Europe in the 12th century, it was not until over 100 years later when notary services were finally introduced to England. This is because England developed its own type of law – known as Common Law – separate from Roman Law which influenced most of Europe.
While we understand time may be off the essence during your visit to our office, we must take a few moments to complete our notary journal. In many cases, this is actually a state requirement, not our own.
Notaries have been around for thousands of years. During the time of the Roman Republic before 100 B.C., they were known as “scribae” (scribes) or “tabellius” (writers) in addition to the origin of today’s term: "notarius."
We recognize that having a notary in the family doesn’t always mean you’ll have convenient and ethical access to them when you need it. Let’s talk about the type of document you need notarized and whether we can help you with it.
As licensed notaries public, we are fully bonded and licensed by the state. This is a mandated requirement designed to protect the public. While the bond is a protective measure for the public, it is also insurance for the notary.
Did you not realize your signature on a document needed to be notarized before you signed the document? Don’t worry about it. In most cases, you can simply cross out the old signature and sign again in front of us.
In many countries, notaries are appointed by specified sections of their government. Here in the U.S., since notaries are state-appointed officials, they are usually appointed by state governors or secretaries of state.
