Demand for notaries increased in 2020. The National Notary Association noted that searches for mobile notaries increased by a whopping 1750%.
There are millions of notaries public in the United States. Finding the right one to authenticate your documents is critical because there are so many legal implications.
Before you look online and do a search for “notary near me,” you should keep reading. Find out the top things to look for in a notary service.
1. Know What Notaries Do
Do you know what a notary does? A notary public’s main job is to verify your signature on legal documents. This might be an application for a loan or a legal document for a major life event.
Agencies and companies want to know that your signature is authentic and legal before they proceed. A notary asks for your ID and is a witness for your signature.
2. Training and Certifications
It seems that almost anyone can be a notary. Some states set a low bar to become a notary public. It’s inexpensive, and a number of states only require an application, passing an exam, and registration fee.
There are a lot of notaries that work office jobs and have a notary license for work. For instance, they might work in an attorney’s office or a bank.
They can perform basic notarizations, but if you need help understanding the documents you’re signing, that’s outside of their scope of work.
Check with your state’s notary commission to make sure they’re registered. They should also be members of a notary association and carry insurance for their work.
Insurance might seem like overkill for a notary, but it protects you from errors made by a notary.
3. Types of Services Offered
Since there are so many notaries, you’ll want to find one that offers the most convenience. There are mobile notaries, online notary services, and drop-in notaries.
Check to see what kind of notarized documents you need. Some document agencies don’t accept online notaries, or they require a notarized certificate. Look here for more information to understand the different types of services and requirements.
It’s important to make the distinction between a notary public and a notary signing agent. A notary signing agent can explain the documents before you sign them.
They usually need to have a certification in their area of expertise. For instance, if they are explaining mortgage documents, they have to be certified in home loans.
Search Now for “Notary Near Me”
You’re armed with the necessary information to search for a “notary near me,” and find the perfect notary for your needs.
Look at their credentials, training, and services. Make sure that they have the training and expertise required to notarize your documents.
Check with the company that requires notarized documents and find out what they need. They might accept online services, which can expedite the process. That helps you get the right notary for your needs.
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