Online & Mobile Notary Services

What does a Notary Do?

 

Notaries serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. When a document is notarized, the notary is attesting to the recipient of that document that the signer's identity has been verified (to the best of his or her ability) and that certain facts related to the signing are also true.​

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Notary Powers

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Every notary appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia is allowed to perform the following acts:

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• Take acknowledgements

• Administer oaths of affirmations

• Certify copies of documents (except vital, public, or court records)

• Certify affidavits and depositions of witnesses

• Perform verification of fact

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Valid Forms of Identification

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Notary publics are prohibited from notarizing any document unless the identity of the signer has been satisfactorily proven to them. Unless you are personally known to me, you must present proof of your identity at every notarial appointment. The only forms of satisfactory evidence of identity are the following:

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No other forms of identity can be used to verify your identity. Additionally, I require that all forms of identification be valid (not expired) and complete (no cracks, pieces missing etc.). I also reserve the right to refuse any form of ID that I suspect may not be authentic and genuine, which may have been altered, or which may be of a form or design that I am not familiar (i.e. some out-of-state IDs).

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When using certificates, you must present the original or court-certified copy. When using a passport book, you must present the original valid passport - no pages may be missing. When using identification cards, all cards must be unexpired and have a photo. If the card is signed, the signature on your document must match the signature on your identification card.

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If the signer is a resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility, the Code of Virginia allows the use of an expired passport or state-issued drivers license or photo identification card, provided that the document expired within the last 5 years. If this is not an option, the signer will need to prove their identity through alternative means.

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Virginia does make provisions in the event that none of the 8 methods of identification are available. These provisions require you having multiple witnesses that are able to prove their identity and swear or affirm under penalty of perjury as to your identity. If this is the case for you, please contact me for further information. 

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Forms & Documents

 

​Responsibilities of the Signer​

It is the responsibility of the signer (client) to ensure they have and comprehends all forms necessary for the notarization appointment. I will not provide any forms to the signer with the exception of loose certificates, when necessary. These forms are provided at no charge to you and will be staples to your entire document and/or notarized signature page.

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Loose Certificates

Loose certificates provided by me contain language lifted directly from the Code of Virginia. The certificates have not been evaluated by an attorney. The certificates I provide are a courtesy and convenience, but all clients are encouraged to obtain and provide their own certificates whenever possible.

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It is against the law for a Notary Public to advise or assist in drafting or creating any documents for legal use. It is further illegal for me to explain anything within a legal document to you. Any and all questions regarding a document must be submitted to the document originator. Under no circumstances should you sign a document you do not fully understand.

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Other Considerations

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Although a notary is neither a doctor nor a lawyer, we must still be satisfied with not just the identity of the person signing but also their mental capacity. A notary may refuse to notarize a document for any reason, not the least of which is the notary's belief that the signer is not capable of understanding the document or the reasons/implications for signing said document. The ultimate decision whether or not to notarize a document always falls upon the notary performing the service. There is no room for debate in this regard.

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