I've been out of sorts for awhile. Dealing with personal issues, taking care of a close relative on hospice and trying to care for his household and mine has been cumbersome and leaving some things to go by the wayside.
Hudson Mobile Notary has become Hudson Curbside Notary. This has caused a lot of changes because people are used to me traveling to their location and performing my notary duties at their convenience. On the other hand, I've found that most people don't mind driving up to my curb and having the comfort of staying in their vehicles, while I oversee them signing their documents and then being on their way. It works!
So, yes, I am still in business and as long as Covid is a thing, I'll will continue to take appointments curbside at my home. I also hope to start keeping up-to-date with my website.
Thanks to all who have patronized my business! I appreciate you!
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Black or Blue Ink? What color should I use to sign?
This is a question that I get asked a lot. You might think it doesn't matter and most times, it doesn't. However, there are times when it is imperative that you use a certain color...and no, red is never a choice! Never, ever, never!
Black or Blue Ink? Mortgage and loan packages usually, but not always, have a Notary Instruction Sheet and this is where I look before I allow my client to sign anything! Black is usually the color requested the most and while, of course, I will adhere to the guidelines issued by the bank or title company, in any signings I have that don't dictate a color, I use blue.
The reason why I choose blue is because documents are almost always printed in black and white. By using a blue pen, it assures that the document is original and not a copy. An attorney told me this, years ago, and it made sense to me. Plus, blue ink is my favorite :)
When you are about to put your signature on a document, it is important to see if there is a preferred, or even required, ink color. If you are unsure, ask your notary!
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
I9 Employment Verification Form
I seem to be getting a lot of this business, lately. Admittedly, I haven't kept up with any news or governmental changes, though I do frequent my eVerify account...I haven't read any of the updates. Rest assured, I've put this on my to-do list!
I've found that some people who need the I9 form either don't have it or don't know where they can find it and I really thought that I had it posted with the other forms you can access from this site, but I can't seem to find it. So, ta-da...here is a link, where you can print your very own copy and don't forget if you need me to print it, I can do that for you, as well...
and if you need more information about the Employment Verification Process known as eVerify, you can find it here. I am an eVerify representative.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
...and Don't Date it, Either
As I talked about in my previous post...please do not sign your document before our meeting and also, don't date it, either. The date must correlate with the date I stamp and seal your document. Meaning, if I notarize your document today, August 27th, 2020 your document date can not be August 26th, 28th, or any other date in the past or the future.
IF you did date your document and it's not current, I will cross your date out and put the current date.
The exception to this is when a date is within the document. For instance, you may have a statement describing an incident like an accident or something else, relative to the document. The contents of the document are not important to the notary, but rather the date of the document itself is.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Do Not Sign Your Document!
I can't tell you the number of times I've been presented with a document to notarize that has already been signed by the customer. Don't do that!
The sole purpose of my notary services is to vouch for you. My stamp and seal on your document says, "I verified your identity and witnessed your signature." In order for me to do that, I need to watch you sign the document, along with seeing and documenting your ID. It also avoids messy paperwork or having to reprint and start over.
I know you can be anxious about your paperwork. I know it's important to you and you just want to get it done but you want to get it done properly. The way to ensure that it is done properly is to not sign your document before you bring it to me.
Here's what you can do, though. Fill out what you can...your name, address, anything the document is asking you but avoid the signature line and save that part for us to do together.
Happy Client - Happy Notary
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
How is Coronavirus Affecting My Services?
I was not quite sure how I would handle my notary work in light of the recent virus that is spreading worldwide. Do I feel comfortable going to a person's home, place of business? Would I want clients to come to my home? Being really uneasy about everything, I've decided that I will conduct either drive-by or drive-up notarizations...either at your home, place of business or my own home.
Here's how it will work. You call or text me to set up an appointment. If you come to my home, I will offer curbside services, with minimal contact. I will still need to access your driver's license and you will still need to sign my journal and, of course, I will need to handle the document(s) you are signing. I will provide hand sanitizer to you and I will disinfect my pen as well as my own hands.
The same will apply if I come to you. I will arrive at the curbside (or parking lot if I'm meeting you at your business) and will still follow all safety precautions.
I do ask that if you are sick or anyone in your home is sick, that you please do not schedule a notarization. I realize that time is of the essence when it comes to certain documents but I can not put mine or my family's health at risk. If I become ill or a family member becomes ill, I reserve the right to cancel, postpone or refuse a notary service. Thank you.
Please call or text for more information or to schedule an appointment 856-397-8908, if you do not get a response when you call, please leave a message with your name, phone number and document information and deadline.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Notaries and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Unless a notary is also a licensed attorney, he or she may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. In civil-law jurisdictions, and in most common-law jurisdictions outside the United States, notaries are essentially lawyers who have extensive training in the drafting of documents. However, American common-law notaries do not have any legal authority unless they happen to also be a licensed attorney. As a result, it would be considered the unauthorized practice of law for a non-attorney notary to give legal advice.
Many notaries often worry about inadvertently engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. This confusion is understandable because although notaries are not attorneys, non-attorneys can provide some legal services. Generally, a non-lawyer can sell blank legal forms, act as a transcriber (by typing information completed in writing by a client), sell general printed legal information, and perform their notary services for the fees established by law. A non-attorney cannot, however, advise a client how to complete a legal form or make changes to a legal form completed by a client.
Of course, notaries employed in the legal field, such as paralegals and legal secretaries, often draft or edit legal documents within the scope of their employment. In this case, these actions would not constitute the unauthorized practice of law because the person is not acting as a notary when performing these tasks but is acting under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Always consult your state's laws regarding what a non-lawyer can do. Be sure to exercise caution when performing any act which might be construed as the unauthorized practice of law.
By Robert T. Koehler, a Contributing Writer with the American Association of Notaries, Inc.
Many notaries often worry about inadvertently engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. This confusion is understandable because although notaries are not attorneys, non-attorneys can provide some legal services. Generally, a non-lawyer can sell blank legal forms, act as a transcriber (by typing information completed in writing by a client), sell general printed legal information, and perform their notary services for the fees established by law. A non-attorney cannot, however, advise a client how to complete a legal form or make changes to a legal form completed by a client.
Of course, notaries employed in the legal field, such as paralegals and legal secretaries, often draft or edit legal documents within the scope of their employment. In this case, these actions would not constitute the unauthorized practice of law because the person is not acting as a notary when performing these tasks but is acting under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Always consult your state's laws regarding what a non-lawyer can do. Be sure to exercise caution when performing any act which might be construed as the unauthorized practice of law.
By Robert T. Koehler, a Contributing Writer with the American Association of Notaries, Inc.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Help! I lost my notarized document!
Sometimes we lose things. Even important things, like documents we've had notarized. This is a terrible feeling and you've probably wondered what you would do and one of the first things you'll ask yourself is, "Would the notary have a copy?"
Unfortunately, a notary does not keep copies of documents that have been notarized. In most cases, the only copy is the one you have, unless you've made copies. There's really no need for a notary to keep any copies of documents that have been completed, they are usually left at the table with the signers or, as in the case with mortgage documents, have been long mailed back to the servicer.
It's very important to keep crucial documents in a safe place...a lockbox, a safe, a safety deposit box or, if an attorney was involved, with the attorney. Once the document or documents are lost, you'll have to redo the whole process.
Now, I will say that when I have e-docs sent to me in any kind of loan process, as in the case of mortgages, I will have those copies. But they are unsigned and not notarized. I usually keep those copies for 30-90 days and then they are shredded.
Invest in a good safe or fireproof lockbox!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
It's legal if you notarize it, right?
I honestly cannot count the number of times I've been asked the question, Once you notarize my document, will it be legal? If I were to guess, I'd say I'm asked at least once a week (during a slow week). It seems people feel that a notary public can do the same thing an attorney does, but at a cheaper price.
There is a general misconception that a notary public stamp on any document automatically makes the document legally binding, and the document is able to hold up in court. I am not sure where or when this myth started, but as notaries, at least in the state of Texas, we need to make sure we are not doing anything to perpetuate that myth. I warmly refer to this myth as the Legal by Notarization myth or LBN.
I first encountered the LBN myth several years ago. I received a phone call from an individual who was in the process of selling a vehicle, and he wanted the bill of sale notarized. When I arrived at the meeting location we exchanged pleasantries, and I asked to see the bill of sale. I was handed a handwritten document explaining the terms of the sale of the vehicle. The document did not include any notarial wording, so I explained to the gentleman who had hired me (Mr. Client) that I would need to attach a certificate to the document, either an Acknowledgement or a Jurat. I explained the purpose of the documents and asked which he would prefer to use. Of course, Mr. Client's next question was which is more legal? Mr. Client then went on to explain the purpose of getting the document notarized was to make sure the document was legal and would hold up in court.
To avoid unauthorized practice of law (UPL) situation, I had to explain to Mr. Client that if he wanted a legally binding document that would hold up in court, then he would need to contact an attorney. I also explained the notary public's role (in the state of Texas) was to serve as a disinterested party, properly verify the identity of the document signers, administer an oath, or acknowledge that the document was signed willingly by the person(s) who were required to physically appear before the notary public, and record the signing of the document in the notary public's journal. After I explained all of this, Mr. Client finally chose a certificate, and we were able to proceed with the signing and notarization of the Bill of Sale.
I'm pretty sure that even though I was not able to guarantee Mr. Client that his bill of sale would hold up in court, he still felt more comfortable about the sale after having the document notarized. I'd like to think that this was attributed to the fact he was able to make an informed decision about the notarization process.
<
There is a general misconception that a notary public stamp on any document automatically makes the document legally binding, and the document is able to hold up in court. I am not sure where or when this myth started, but as notaries, at least in the state of Texas, we need to make sure we are not doing anything to perpetuate that myth. I warmly refer to this myth as the Legal by Notarization myth or LBN.
I first encountered the LBN myth several years ago. I received a phone call from an individual who was in the process of selling a vehicle, and he wanted the bill of sale notarized. When I arrived at the meeting location we exchanged pleasantries, and I asked to see the bill of sale. I was handed a handwritten document explaining the terms of the sale of the vehicle. The document did not include any notarial wording, so I explained to the gentleman who had hired me (Mr. Client) that I would need to attach a certificate to the document, either an Acknowledgement or a Jurat. I explained the purpose of the documents and asked which he would prefer to use. Of course, Mr. Client's next question was which is more legal? Mr. Client then went on to explain the purpose of getting the document notarized was to make sure the document was legal and would hold up in court.
To avoid unauthorized practice of law (UPL) situation, I had to explain to Mr. Client that if he wanted a legally binding document that would hold up in court, then he would need to contact an attorney. I also explained the notary public's role (in the state of Texas) was to serve as a disinterested party, properly verify the identity of the document signers, administer an oath, or acknowledge that the document was signed willingly by the person(s) who were required to physically appear before the notary public, and record the signing of the document in the notary public's journal. After I explained all of this, Mr. Client finally chose a certificate, and we were able to proceed with the signing and notarization of the Bill of Sale.
I'm pretty sure that even though I was not able to guarantee Mr. Client that his bill of sale would hold up in court, he still felt more comfortable about the sale after having the document notarized. I'd like to think that this was attributed to the fact he was able to make an informed decision about the notarization process.
<
-- Phyllis Traylor, U.S. Army Retired is a Contributing Writer with the American Association of Notaries
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Why You Should Hire a Mobile Notary Signing Service
1. Convenient. Whether you're a traveling businessperson or an over-the-road truck driver, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to meet a deadline for a contract or a home closing. One call and a mobile notary can be wherever you need her to be and on your time...late nights, weekends or holidays!
2. We Can Meet You Anywhere! Your home, office, nursing home, local coffee shop. I once did a signing on the hood of my car for a gentleman truck driver, at the loading dock, who needed to close on a property!
3. Matter of Life or Death. Hospital and Nursing Homes are a prime venue for a mobile notary. During this delicate time for family and friends, you may need legal documents like a living will or a last will and testament witnessed.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
My Service Areas
I am a New Jersey Notary Public, which means I can only notarize while within the boundaries of New Jersey. (you'd be surprised how many people think I can notarize in Delaware and Pennsylvania)
Also, if you are in or near my area, which can go by many names Logan Township, Beckett, Bridgeport, Swedesboro, NJ (and even Pureland, which is actually the Industrial Park that I live on the outside of), I have no problem having you bring your documents to my home. You must make an appointment but I can usually see you pretty quickly after you've made contact.
Please do not just drop in. Thank you.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
