There are three main ways in which a notary can verify the identity of someone BEFORE they notarize a document with that signature: ID cards, personal knowledge, and using credible identifying witnesses. California, where I am commissioned, only allows ID cards and credible identifying witnesses. Other states may allow all three methods which are described below. (Notaries: check the laws in your state to see what's allowed).
...continue reading "Who Are You? The ways a notary identifies signers."
Tag: Notary Public
Who needs an Notary? YOU DO!
In this day and age, we need to make sure that we are all protected from those unscrupulous business folks who will try to cheat us out of what we deserve. This is where a notary comes in handy. A notary can protect you from fraud. I once won a contest for a free copy of software. In order to claim my prize, I had to sign a document and have it notarized. The contest folks wanted to make sure that the correct person got the software and that I was who I said I was. Not just anyone could get the prize because I had to "prove" who I was. ...continue reading "Who needs an Notary? YOU DO!"
Certificate of Notarial Authority – another type of authentication
I recently wrote about the Apostille, which certifies that a notary public was commissioned to notarize a document at a certain time. An apostille is sent to another country which abides by the Hague Convention. But what do you do if someone from another state or non-Hague Convention country wants certification of the notary? ...continue reading "Certificate of Notarial Authority – another type of authentication"
I need a WHAT?!? An Apostille? What’s that?
Sometimes, notaries run across some odd requests. I was once asked to certify a copy of a diploma. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so since my state (California) does not allow me to certify copies of such documents. Another such certification I cannot provide is an Apostille.
An Apostille is a ...continue reading "I need a WHAT?!? An Apostille? What’s that?"