What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by the government to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgmements, administering oath and affirmations, and performing other acts authorizing by law.

What is a Signing Agent?

 A Notary Signing Agent is a Notary with distinctive expertise in notarizing loan document signings.

They charge higher fees than basic Notary fees.They may charge for their services rendered.

How much does a notarization cost?

Fees vary - as much as $10 in some states and as little as 50 cents in others - according to state law.

Notaries may charge for their services to notarize. These are separate from notarization fees. They may charge hourly, flat fees, travel fees on top of the basic notary fees. Notary fees usually are based on signatures or types of documents to notarize. The number of signatures on a document to be notarized.

How much does a signing agent earn from one signing?

This can very from region to region but the averages usually fall between $75.00 and $125.00 per signing.

Can be higher depending on location of signing. They sometimes may charge more for this service. That is an average.

Why are documents notarized?

To deter fraud. An impartial witness (the Notary) ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not impostors. The Notary makes sure that signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.

May any document be notarized?

 For a document to be notarized, it must contain: 1) text committing the signer in some way, 2) an original signature (not a photocopy) of the document signer, 3) a notarial "certificate" which may appear on the document itself or on all attachment. The Notary fills in the certificate, signs it, then applies his or her seal to complete the notarization.

May a Notary give legal advice or draft legal documents?

Absolutely not. A Notary is forbidden from preparing legal documents for others or acting as a legal advisor unless he or she is also an attorney. Violators can be fined or jailed for the unauthorized practice of law.

May a Notary notarize or prepare Immigration papers?

 Only a few immigration forms need to be notarized, such as the Affidavit of Support (1-134), but U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regulations state that no one may prepare or file another person's immigration papers unless he or she is all attorney or a U.S. Justice Department-approved "accredited representative." Non attorneys can provide clerical, secretarial or translating assistance with INS forms, as long as no advice is given. However, courts have held that even the selection of which forms to complete can constitute the practice of law, since the filing of INS forms creates legal consequences having a substantial impact on the applicant.

Does notarization mean that a document is "true" or "legal"?

No Notaries are not responsible for the accuracy or legality of documents they notarize Notaries certify the identity of signers. The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.

May a Notary refuse to serve people?

The Notary shall, as a government officer and public officer and public servant, serve all of the public in an honest, fair and unbiased manner. Only if the Notary is uncertain of a signer's identity, willingness or general competence, or has a good reason to suspect fraud. Notaries should not refuse to serve anyone because of race, religion, nationality, lifestyle, or because the person is not a client or customer. Discrimination on any basis is not a suitable policy for a public official