A notary public is an impartial witness who verifies and certifies personal documents, such as contracts and deeds, for legal purposes. Anyone can become a notary public by passing an exam and meeting the requirements in that state. Notaries provide services to the general public at reasonable rates. As such, it is prudent to hire a private notary instead of going to county or state offices for your legal needs. Here are the advantages of hiring a notary public.
Advantages of Hiring a Notary Public:
- Notary Publics are Licensed to Practice Law:
Notaries are licensed to practice law. This means that they have been tested and have proven their competence through the course of study necessary to become a lawyer. This is important because a notary can examine witnesses, administer oaths, and make rules concerning the admissibility of evidence. A notary’s legal knowledge gives you greater assurance of the reliability and accuracy of the notary’s services.
- A Notary Public Can Verify Identity:
To ensure that the person requesting a notarization is indeed who they claim to be, the notary may ask for some form of identification. The notary may also require witnesses to verify the signer’s identity by sight. This safeguard helps prevent fraud and false notarizations.
- Notaries Publish a Personal Residency Statement:
Notaries publish a personal residency statement indicating where they live to prove that they are residents of the area they serve. This ensures that the notary is familiar with the local laws and can advise you on them. If you hire a notary temporarily working in another state, the notary will publish a jurisdictional residency statement indicating where they are employed. This will help you determine whether the notary is equipped to assist you.
- A Notary Can Witness and Certify Documents:
A notary can witness and certify documents such as deeds, wills, contracts, and powers of attorney. The notary’s signature and seal indicate that you have been truthful in the document and that it has been properly witnessed. This may help you to avoid certain legal difficulties later on. In addition, the document may be admissible in court.
- A Notary Publishes a Jurisdictional Residency Statement:
Suppose the notary is not a resident of the state where you employ them. In that case, the notary will publish a jurisdictional residency statement indicating where they are temporarily employed. You can consider this when deciding whether or not to hire a notary. The notary’s statement indicates that the notary is qualified to practice in the state and county where they are temporarily employed. This may help you determine whether you should engage the notary’s services.
- A Notary Provides Certain Warranties Regarding the Notarization:
A notary provides certain warranties regarding the notarization. The notary warrants that they are competent to perform the notarial act and that the notary has properly identified the parties and verified their signatures. The notary also states that they swear under oath that the statements are true and that the documents were signed in the notary’s presence. If the notary fails to meet these warranties, the notary may be liable for damages. This is why it is prudent to hire a reputable notary. If there is any doubt regarding the validity of the notary’s services, you can contact the notary’s regulatory body.
- You can Pay for a Notarization with a Credit Card:
More and more notaries are accepting credit card payments for their services. This convenience will save you time and effort and allow you to complete your notarial tasks at the office or on the go. Not all notaries accept credit card payments, so ask when making an appointment. Not all companies accept credit cards, so you must check with your specific company.
- A Notarization Will be Admissible in Court:
A notarization will be admissible in court. Courts generally accept notarizations as evidence that the signer was indeed who they claimed to be. This gives added assurance that the notary is reliable and trustworthy. Not all notarizations, however, are admissible in court. If you want the notarization to be admissible, you should inform the notary before they notarize the document.
- You Can Rely on a Notary’s Diligence and Competency:
Notaries must pass a competency exam before they can practice. They must also meet certain standards of diligence and competency to retain their licenses. The notarial act is a solemn matter, and the notary knows this. The notary will conduct the business diligently and competently, giving you added assurance that the notary is qualified to provide the service.
Conclusion
When you need to have documents notarized, it is best to hire a private notary. Notaries provide services to the general public at reasonable rates and are licensed to practice law. They can verify identity, witness and certify documents, and publish a jurisdictional residency statement. A notary provides certain warranties regarding the notarization, and you can rely on the notary’s diligence and competency. When you need to notarize documents, it is best to hire a private notary.
