Notary

Notarization is the process of authenticating a document by a commissioned Notary Public, assuring that its signature is genuine and that the signer acted without duress or intimidation.

The key value lies in the Notary’s impartial screening of a signer for identity, willingness and awareness. This screening detects and deters document fraud, helping protect the personal rights and property of private citizens from forgery, identity theft and exploitation.

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When notarized, a document will be marked with a stamp, or seal, which indicates that the signature on the document is legitimate. A Notary Public watches you sign a document, and then places the stamp near your signature. This signifies that it was you who signed the document, not someone posing as you.

What to Expect from a Notary Public?

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• In addition to verifying your identity, a Notary looks for signs of trouble—that you’re signing willingly, and no one is forcing you to sign. A Notary will refuse to validate a signature if signs of coercion are present.

• A Notary also needs to make sure you’re in a condition to truly understand what you’re signing. If you are intoxicated, medicated, or unable to understand what’s happening for any reason, a Notary can refuse to notarize the document.

• Be sure to bring an unsigned document—not one that’s been signed ahead of time. It needs to be signed in front of the Notary, who needs to watch you sign.

• Bring a picture identification—a driver’s license or passport.

• Notaries are commissioned every four years, must stay current with changing laws and keep records. Every member of the Guideway team is a licensed Notary Public.

• For all of our services that require notarization—divorces, deeds, etc., the notarization fee is included. If you come into our office just to have a signature notarized, our fee is $15.