Notary Musts

Notarization 'Musts'

> The document signer must personally appear before the Notary at time of notarization – not before, not  after.   A telephone call from the signer or Notary’s familiarity with signature is not personal appearance.

> The Notary must identify the signer through either (1) personal knowledge or (2) vouching of personally known reliable, uninvolved witness who is under oath or (3) current government-issued ID card with photograph, signature and physical description.

> The Notary must be impartial and disinterested and not notarize document bearing Notary’s name or signature or that of Notary’s spouse or relative, or document which will in any way benefit them.

> The Notary must make a record of notarization and require document signer to affix signature – and, if necessary, thumbprint – in official journal of notarial acts.

> The Notary must hold and scan document to note unfilled blanks and glean information (title, name of signer[s], number of pages, etc.) for recording in journal of notarial acts.

> The notary must not certify a copy of a birth certificate or other vital record nor of recordable document such as a deed. Only the appropriate public records custodian must issue copies of these documents.