The Notary Process

Below is a list of common questions regarding the notary process. If your question can't be found here, please return to the Frequently Asked Questions categories or .

1. What is a Notary Public?
2. What is a Mobile Notary?
3. What is a Notary Signing Agent?
4. What is a Certified Notary Signing Agent?
5. What does a notarization accomplish?
6. What do I need to know about the notary process?

What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed as a public servant to serve as a impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths, and performing other acts as authorized by state law.

What is a Mobile Notary?
A Mobile Notary advertises their willingness to travel "anywhere at any time" to serve those who are unable to leave their home or business and travel to a Notary's place of business.

What is a Notary Signing Agent?
A Notary Signing Agent is a Notary Public trained to handle the signing of mortgage documents. They are hired by a closing agent (lenders, escrow, and title companies, etc.) to ensure that real estate loan documents are properly executed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing.

What is a Certified Notary Signing Agent?
A Certified Notary Signing Agent is a Notary Public who has taken specialized training and passed an exam process administered by the National Notary Association. Continuing education requirements exist to maintain the designation.

What does a notarization accomplish?
Notarization creates a public record in the notarial journal, which may detect and/or deter document fraud. Notarization does not prove the truthfulness of the statements, legalize or validate the document, or protect a person's rights to their artistic creations or inventions.

What do I need to know about the notary process?
There are 5 basic steps you should be aware of:

1. Personal Appearance - The document signer is required to be present at the time of notarization.
2. Willingness and Awareness - The Notary may ask the signer some basic questions to establish the signer's willingness, and awareness of the significance of the transaction taking place.
3. Identification - The Notary will check the identification of the signer, enter appropriate information in his/her journal, and verify the signature.
4. Review Document - The Notary will scan the document to check missing information, or blank spaces, and request the signer to complete the document before it can be notarized. A document can not be notarized if it contains blank spaces.
5. Journal Entry - The Notary will record the transaction in his/her journal, complete the notarial certification, affix their seal and signature.