Where do you find a Mobile Notary? It’s a question most folks never think about or ask until the time comes when you need one. Then where do you turn? The internet is helpful and quick, Google search returns about 2.3 million results. From Google ads to Yellow Page listings the choices are endless.
So you click on a web link, find a phone number to call and leave a voice message. Do this often enough and sooner or later someone will either call you back or finally pick up the phone.
But how can you tell if the person that you are talking to is really a Notary Public or just a scam?
And how do you know what a fair price is for Mobile Notary services?
We know it’s not easy, and can even be a bit intimidating, so N3 Notary has put together what we hope is a useful guide for finding a mobile notary with confidence and ease.
Firsts things first.
Have an idea about what documents you need notarized and how many notarizations you need.
Nothing will spook a mobile Notary Public more than an uninformed. The more disorganized you are, the more unlikely you will find a Notary at a fair price with just a few phone calls. So know the titles of each document that you need notarized.
To count the number of notarizations you will need, it’s important to understand what the Notary Public is actually notarizing. Most folks seem to think that it is the document that needs to be notarized and they are misinformed, when in fact it’s the signature that is being notarized.
Keeping that in mind, to count the number of notarizations you will need, just count the number of total signatures on each document that requires notarization. For example, let’s say you have 1 document, and the same person will sign the document 100 times, that would be considered 100 notarizations. Alternately, if that person was to sign 1 time on 100 documents that would still be considered 100 notarizations.
Be prepared to share this information with the mobile Notary when you speak with them.
Second.
Find a notary website that is dedicated to making it easy for you to find a Mobile Notary in your area. There are some great websites out there that have been built just for you free of charge.
•GoMobileNotary.com
•NotaryRotary.com
These websites are very easy to use. You simply just enter in the zip code that you need a notary in, click the “Search” button and a list of Notaries that cover the area will be presented to you. You can read reviews, get their phone number and review their experience as well.
Third how much does a Notary cost?
Pricing for a Mobile Notary will range from $5 per signature with no travel fee to several hundreds of dollars. Some states do dictate the price that the notary can charge per notarization as well as limit the fees Notary are allowed to charge for travel. You can check with your Secretary of State office for specific details.
A Fair price will be about $25 – $40 for 1 to 2 Notarizations and an additional $5 – $10 per notarization thereafter.
Fourth know the rules for Notarization in your state.
Most of the time, the Notary is going to want to know two things. First, can the individual who is signing the document understand the contents of the documents and two can the Notary properly identify the individual appearing for notarization? If the notary cannot answer yes to both of these questions then they have a duty to refuse the notarization, and more than likely you will be charged for the full rate of their service as they are acting according to the rules of their state.
Before you even schedule a Notary visit, make sure that the person that will have their signature notarized has an original unexpired ID issued by a federal (Passport) or state (Drivers License) agency available to show the Notary at the time of the appointment. In addition, the person that is appearing for notarization must be of sound mind. Unfortunate as your situation may be, if you ask the notary to travel to an Alzheimer’s ward chances are the notarization will not be taking place.
Finally, seek out the advice of an attorney.
A Notary is not authorized to render legal advice. In fact, in some states that cannot even tell you what type of notarization you need, it’s actually your job to tell them. If you have questions about identification, or the ability of the person appearing for notarization to understand the document or have questions about the document or Notary process, you should consult with an attorney.