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?
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Notaries and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
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!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
It's legal if you notarize it, right?
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.
<
Saturday, November 9, 2019
CREATE YOUR OWN LEGAL DOCUMENTS
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.