How to Know You are Working with a Legitimate Notary

A notary public is a public official who has been authorized by the government to witness and certify the signing of documents. They are essential in legal transactions and can help prevent fraud and ensure that documents are legally binding. In this blog post, we’ll explore some ways you can know you are working with a legitimate notary.

How to Know You are Working with a Legitimate Notary

A notary public is a public official who has been authorized by the government to witness and certify the signing of documents. They are essential in legal transactions and can help prevent fraud and ensure that documents are legally binding. However, not all notaries are created equal, and it’s important to know that you are working with a legitimate notary to protect yourself from potential legal issues.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some ways to determine if you are working with a legitimate notary.

Check their Credentials

One of the easiest ways to ensure that you are working with a legitimate notary is to check their credentials. Every state has its own notary regulations, and notaries must pass an exam and meet specific requirements to become certified. You can check with the state’s Secretary of State’s office or the National Notary Association to verify their certification.

Legitimate notaries will be happy to provide you with their credentials and should be able to answer any questions you have about their training and certification.

Look for Proper Identification

Notaries are required to have proper identification when notarizing a document. They will typically have a badge, seal, or stamp with their name, commission number, and the expiration date of their commission. You should ask to see their identification and ensure that it matches the name and commission number on the document.

If you are not sure what to look for, you can ask the notary to explain their identification and commission.

Verify their Signature

Notaries are also required to sign and date every document they notarize. You should verify that their signature matches the name and commission number on their identification. Some notaries may also use an electronic signature, and you can verify this by checking the electronic seal on the document.

Legitimate notaries will be happy to explain their signature and answer any questions you have.

Ensure they Follow Proper Procedures

Notaries are required to follow specific procedures when notarizing a document to ensure that it is legally binding. They will typically ask for proper identification, confirm that the person signing the document understands what they are signing, and witness the signature.

They will also document the notarization with a journal entry and keep a copy of the document. If a notary does not follow these procedures or seems unsure about what to do, it may be a sign that they are not legitimate.

Be Wary of Suspicious Behavior

If a notary seems overly pushy or seems to be rushing you through the notarization process, it may be a sign that something is not right. Legitimate notaries will take their time and ensure that everything is done properly. You should also be wary of notaries who ask you to sign blank documents or who offer to notarize a document without proper identification.

Conclusion

Working with a legitimate notary is essential to protect yourself from potential legal issues. By checking their credentials, verifying their signature, ensuring they follow proper procedures, and being wary of suspicious behavior, you can ensure that you are working with a legitimate notary. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and verify their credentials – a legitimate notary will be happy to provide you with the information you need.

You can reach out to a trusted notary with over 25 years experience with confidence by contacting Sunrise Notary. Reach out to us today to schedule your notary appointment.