Notarization Requirements

The signer(s) being notarized must be present at the time of the notarization.

The signer(s) must have photo ID that covers the names shown on the document (for example, if your middle name is spelled out on the document, it must be spelled out on your photo ID). The ID can have more than the document, just not less.

You must have the document that is being notarized. I am not allow to draft documents or provide legal advice. The ID can have more of the name than what is on the document, but not less.

I cannot notarize incomplete documents with incomplete blank lines (that you don’t have the information for) in the text above your signature line or just the last “signature page” without the rest of the document present.

All signers need to be competent to sign and be fully alert and be able to prove to the notary that they understand the contents being signed. Nodding is not sufficient. If the signer cannot speak, then he or she will need to be able to write out complete sentences to questions like: “Please explain what a Power of Attorney is or does?” I cannot notarize someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia or someone on medication that makes the signer extremely drowsy. You may need to go to court to be able to take over the signing responsibilities for someone if signing a document such as a Power of Attorney cannot be notarized because of these issues. Not notarize incomplete documents with incomplete blank lines (that you don’t have the information for) in the text above your signature line or just the last “signature page” without the rest of the document present.

Each signer needs to be able to explain what he or she is signing in English directly to me, without a translator. It is not a problem if the document is in a foreign language, but the notary wording that I sign has to be in English or I can provide the notary wording on a stamp.

The signer needs to be able to sign in a way that resembles a signature, even if no longer looks like the original signature on an ID. If the signer can only make some kind of small mark or “x” on the signature line, then that is considered “signature by mark” and he/she needs two witnesses.