A notarization is generally an assurance made by a Notary Public that a document's signature is genuine, that the signer acted without duress and that the signer intended the terms of the document to be in full force and effect.
Notarization involves the signing of documents. In all cases, all signers and any required witness(es) must be present for the notarization. You'll need to present acceptable ID as required by the state along with all pages of the document being notarized.
Before you schedule your appointment
- We suggest you don't sign or date the document (some documents must be signed and dated in the presence of a Notary)
- Make sure you have all the pages of the document(s) being signed, not just the signature page
- Make sure all document signers have state-acceptable ID
You, (as well as any additional document signers and required witnesses) need to be present. Upon arrival the Notary will review your document(s) to determine the notarization requirements and whether we are able to complete the notarization. From start to finish, the typical appointment should take about 30 minutes to an hour.
For additional information about notary requirements in your state, consult with a legal advisor or contact your Secretary of State's office or other state or local notary authority in your area.