Who Can Notarize a Document in the US?

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OneNotary Team

March 27, 2021

Notarize a Document in the US

If you have official documents, there is a chance that you may need to get them notarized. If you are wondering who can notarize a document, you need to go to an official notary. What does it mean to notarize a document?

Notarization is an official process that is designed to reduce fraud. This process assures that the parties involved in a transaction are looking at authentic documents. This means they can be trusted. It is the job of a notary public to that, certified, and keep records of all documents that are notarized. And a lot of situations, a notarization is referred to as a “notarial act.”

So, does your document have to be notarized? If you have to get your document notarized, what options do you have? There are several important points that you should keep in mind.

What documents need to be notarized?

There are several important examples of documents that may have to go through this official process. Some of the most important examples include:

  1. Any documents that are related to the adoption of a child do have to be signed by a notary. Some of the most important examples include adoption agreements, adoption certificates, and any other legal documents related to the adoption process. All of these documents will have to be submitted to a court of
  2. Law if they have not been through this official process, there is a chance they may not be accepted.
    If you have apprenticeship and trade certificates, they may have to be notarized as well. In order for you to go through the apprenticeship process and on your certification, all documents submitted through this application process may have to go through a notary.
  3. If you need to submit documents from your bank for any reason, these also have to be reviewed by a professional notary. This includes anything related to bank statements, financial records, and other official documents related to your accounts.
  4. Some of the most common reasons why people have to seek out the help of a trained professional have to do with business and corporate records. These documents usually have to be authenticated before a business deal can move forward. Some of the most common examples include Articles of Incorporation, commercial invoices, corporate bylaws, letters of employment, reference letters, business registration documents, letters of invitation, and even packing slips.
  5. In some situations, transcripts may have to be notarized as well. This depends on the reason why they are being used. College, university, and graduate school transcripts are commonly subjected to this verification process. The same is true of diplomas.
  6. If you have citizenship certificates, there’s a chance they may have to go through this process also. They need to be verified by a professional notary before they can be used.
  7. Tax documents and employment records are commonly subjected to this process as well. If you have to fill out an official document for unemployment, there is a chance your employer may ask to have it notarized.

These are just a few of the many examples of documents that may have to be notarized. If you would like to learn more about these documents, you can also review a list at this location.

Who can legally notarize documents?

In order for someone to become a notary, they have to go through a specific vetting process. That way, individuals who are notarizing your documents are seen as trustworthy. Someone who has gone through this process is known as a notary public. These individuals usually have to register their signatures with a professional organization. That way, the document is recognized as authentic and valid.

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In order to become a notary, individuals have to:

  1. Ensure they meet all eligibility requirements set by the local government
  2. Register for educational courses required by the government
  3. Take the exam to become a notary public, passing it with a high enough score
  4. Complete a notarized application
  5. Take the oath of office and buy their notary seal

Anyone who has gone through this process is seen as a notary public and should be able to notarize your documents for you.

How do I find a notary?

There are numerous locations in which you can find a notary who can notarize your documents for you. Some of the most common examples of places where notaries are present include:

  • Individuals who work in accounting practices or tax offices
  • Individuals who work in shipping and receiving locations, particularly those that handle international shipments
  • Professionals who work in college and university offices
  • Libraries usually have access to multiple notaries
  • Institutions that have photocopying services available
  • Online notaries
  • Law firms and legal offices
  • Banks and credit unions
  • AAA offices
  • Real estate firms, real estate offices, and professional real estate establishments

If you would like to find a professional in your area, there are also online resources that can help you locate an official notary. For example, you can visit this website to take a look if there are any notaries in your area. Keep in mind that just because institutions have a notary on staff doesn’t necessarily mean that that individual is going to be there. It is not unusual for these people to rotate between multiple establishments from day to day. You may need to call them in advance and ask them if the notary is there that day.

How is my document notarized?

A notary is responsible for signing and sealing your document. Furthermore, this professional can also help you prepare a separate certificate which will be signed and attached to your document. In order for this process to be completed, your notary will:

  • Presented with a certificate of appointment, signifying that you work for that individual that day
  • Place a handwritten signature on the document with ink
  • Apply a seal or stamp that represents their full name legibly as it appears on their certificate of appointment from the local government
  • Signify the document is a true copy by indicating the act performed
  • Signifying the date on which the document has been reviewed
  • Print the expiration date of their notary appointment, showing that they were still a valid professional when they reviewed the document

After this process is finished, your document should be notarized.

A Step-by-Step Guide: How to notarize document using https://onenotary.us/

It can be a hassle to visit a notary in person. Instead, you may prefer to get this process done online through OneNotary. In order to complete this process online, the steps you need to follow include:

  1. Visit OneNotary and review how the process works.
  2. Take a look at the available times. Compare this to your schedule and select a time that works for you.
  3. After you sign up for an appointment, you should receive an email invitation. Using this email invitation, upload the document that needs to be reviewed. That way, your professional can review the document ahead of time.
  4. You will also need to identify yourself by answering a few questions from your history. This allows the notary to confirm that you are the same person listed on the document.
  5. When it is time for your session, you will meet your professional online. OneNotary will help you connect in a seamless fashion.
  6. Just as he or she would in person, your professional will go through the process of notarizing your document. After the process has been completed, he or she will upload the completed documents for your review. After this, your document should look the same as it would if you had gone through this session in person.

onenotary

The goal is to make this process as easy as possible. That way, you do not have to worry about trying to track down a notary public somewhere in the local community. If you need to get these documents notarized, you probably need this done sooner rather than later. Fortunately, you can do this online.

What can OneNotary do?

If you are looking for a way to get your documents notarized online, OneNotary can do this for you. Through this platform, just about any document that can be notarized in person can have the same process done online.

Keep in mind that every state has slightly different laws when it comes to this process. If it is legal to perform this process remotely in your state, you can simply get it signed through this platform. You do not need to have access to any special equipment to get this process completed; however, you do need to upload an electronic version of your document.

The document has to be clear and legible. Furthermore, there is also a size limit to the documents you can upload. Make sure you have the right size and file format.

If you decide to go through this process online, there are a number of benefits you will enjoy. These include:

  • This process is simply more convenient. If you are tired of driving around looking for a notary, you may want to get these documents completed from the comfort of your home or office instead.
  • This process is also more affordable. If you would like to save money as you go through this process, you should take a look at the options available on OneNotary.
  • If you visit someone in person, there is a risk that you could misplace your documents. These are confidential documents that should be exposed only to the parties involved in the transaction. If you don’t have to leave your home or office, you don’t have to worry about misplacing your documents.
  • Finally, you also have access to professional expertise. With experienced professionals who are ready to walk you through the process, OneNotary will make this as painless as possible.

Any document that can be notarized online can be taken care of online through OneNotary.

Get Your Documents Notarized Online with OneNotary

Ultimately, if you are wondering who can notarize documents, you can get a document notarized online through OneNotary. The notarization process doesn’t have to be as hard as people make it seem. Instead, sign up for an appointment online and go through the process virtually. You can save time, money, and stress. Take a look at the list of available appointments today!