What Documents Need To Be Notarized?

Have you been told that you need to get a document notarized? If so, you may be wondering what this means. If you have to get a document notarized, this means that you need someone to verify your identity for the purpose of signing an important document.

A few examples of areas where you might need to get your documents notarized include:

• Important real estate transactions
• Certain legal documents
• Many financial documents
• Some documents related to healthcare

A notary public is responsible for making sure the individual understands the contents of the document and that he or she is entering into the agreement of his or her own free will. At the same time, you might be wondering what documents need to be notarized. So, what can be notarized?

What Types of Documents Need To Be Notarized?

There are several common types of documents that need to be notarized. These include:

Articles of Incorporation

If you are starting a new company, then you may need to obtain documents called Articles of Incorporation. If you need to submit these documents to a legal governing body, then you need to get them notarized before you do so. Otherwise, your Articles of Incorporation are probably not going to be accepted.

Commercial Leases

If you are signing a lease for a commercial business, then you may need to get this document notarized as well. You need to find a place to run your business, and you may be renting a large building. The owner of the building may not allow you to lease the building unless you get the documents notarized first.

Employment Contracts

If you are starting a new job, your new employer may require you to get the contract notarized. You need to read the contract carefully because this is going to specify the terms, conditions, compensation, and duties associated with the role. Even though you may hire a lawyer to help you review your employment contract, you still need to get it notarized. That way, the employer knows that you have agreed to the contract.

Legal Affidavits

If you need to submit a legal affidavit for any reason, you will probably need to get this notarized. An affidavit is a sworn statement that can be used in a court of law. Whether this is a criminal or civil proceeding, you may be required to get a legal affidavit notarized before it can be accepted.

Certified Copies of Documents

If you require certified copies of documents for any reason, you may need to get these notarized as well. For example, you may need to get a certified copy of a transcript if you are applying to a new job or graduate program. You might need to get certified copies of medical records for something specific as well.

Passport Application Documents

If you are applying for a passport, you will usually have to get these documents notarized. If you are renewing your passport, you may not need to get the renewal forms notarized; however, if you are applying for a new passport, you may need to get this notarized before it will be accepted.

Mortgage Documents

If you are buying, selling, or transferring a home, there could be mortgage documents related to the sale of the building. You may need to get these documents notarized before they will be accepted by the law firm that is processing the transaction. You need to take a look at the documents carefully to see what needs to be notarized.

How To Get a Document Notarized Online with OneNotary

If you are interested in getting a document notarized, then you may feel like you need to drive all over town to find a public notary. You can commonly find a notary at a post office, a bank, or a law firm; however, the notary is not always there. Furthermore, you may need to schedule an appointment in advance. Because a lot of these places are only open during business hours, you may have a difficult time meeting with them. Fortunately, you can get a document notarized virtually through OneNotary.

How Does it Work

Using OneNotary, you are going to meet with a notary virtually who will walk you through the process. You can schedule the meeting on your own time, and you might be able to save a lot of money. If you are interested in using OneNotary to help you get your document notarized, a few steps you need to follow include:

• First, you need to take a look at the calendar available on OneNotary. This will let you know when you can schedule an appointment. You will schedule an appointment with a notary using the calendar.
• After this, you should receive an email confirmation specifying your appointment time. This email will also contain a link you can use to upload the documents that have to get notarized.
• Prior to the meeting, you will answer a few questions to verify your identity. That way, the notary knows that you are who you say you are.
• When it is high for your appointment, you will use video conferencing software to interact with a notary virtually. He or she is going to walk you through the process of notarizing your documents.
• When the appointment is finished, the notary will notarize your documents. Then, he or she will make them available for you to download. After they have been notarized, you can submit them to the correct party.

Instead of having to worry about driving all over town finding a public notary, why not meet with a virtual notary on your own schedule? You might be able to save a lot of time and money during the process.

What Documents Cannot Be Notarized?

Ultimately, you can get just about any document notarized; however, not everything needs to be notarized. You need to clarify with the other party when notarization is required. That way, you do not go through the process unnecessarily.

At the same time, there are several situations where a notary may not be able to notarize a specific document. A few examples include if the:

• identity of the person signing the document cannot be verified, then the notary public cannot notarize it.
• document contains any white-out on it, then the notary public will usually refuse to notarize the document because he or she does not fully understand the contents.
• signer is mentally incapacitated or otherwise does not understand the implications of the document, then the notary public cannot sign it.
• commission of the notary public has expired, then he or she may not be able to notarize the document.

These are just a few examples of situations where documents cannot be notarized.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Needs To Be Notarized

There are several common questions people have about notarizing documents. These include:

• How long does it take to notarize a document?

The process of notarizing a document itself does not take that long; however, it may be difficult for you to find a notary who can help you. If you decide to get your documents notarized virtually, you may be able to save a lot of time.

• What happens if I do not get a document notarized?

If you are required to get a document notarized and you do not do so, then it will probably not be accepted by the other party. For example, a court of law may refuse to recognize the documents because they have not been notarized.

• How do you become a notary?

The exact process will vary from state to state; however, you usually have to take a course, take an exam, and go through a background check to verify your character before you can be commissioned as a notary public in that state.