A Mobile Notary Service
in the Greater Fairfax Area Servicing Fairfax, Virginia and Fairfax County
Frequently Asked Questions about Notarization of Documents
1. What should I know in order to arrange a notary appointment for my elderly parents?
2. What is the notary's role?
3. Why does the notary skim the documents to be notarized? Are they being nosy?
4. What is the difference between a notary and a loan signing agent?
5. Can a notary notarize a COPY of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate?
6. How much can a notary charge in the state of Virginia as of 2023?
7. What are some acceptable locations where we could meet the notary?
1. What should I know in order to arrange a notary appointment for my parents?
The elderly signer must have a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.
If they are no longer driving, having a state-issued ID card is a good idea.
Learn about Virginia's DMV Adult ID Card.
The signer should have time to review the documents before the notary arrives and should make sure they have filled in any blanks, except for their signature or initials. They must be alert and aware; they must show an understanding of the purpose and content of the document, must sign willingly, and be able to communicate with the notary in a common language. In some cases, the notary may have to refuse to notarize if a person doesn't meet these criteria.
WITNESSES: If you are arranging a notary appointment for your family member and witnesses are required, please ensure that they can be present. Witnesses must be at least 18 years of age, be of sound mind, cannot be named in the documents, and have no interest in the documents.
2. What is the notary's role?
A notary public serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. The notary performs a variety of notarial acts, or notarizations, according to their state guidelines, related to the signing of documents. The purpose of these guidelines is to deter against fraud. The notary's most important role is to screen the signer for several things: their true identity, their willingness to sign the document, and their understanding of what they're signing. Some commonly notarized documents are the property deed, last will and testament, and the power of attorney.
3. Why does the notary skim the documents to be notarized? Are they being nosy?
Although the notary is not concerned with the contents of the document to be notarized, they are required to visually skim the entire document for several reasons. If the document contains any blanks, they will ask the signer to complete them before signing. All required dates should be filled in as well. If spaces are purposely left blank, the signer should strike out the text with a line or write N/A beside it. What seem like little actions can protect the signer against fraud. The notary must also identify several items to make sure the document is complete--the document's name, its title or general description, names of the signers and/or witnesses, and the total number of pages. These items get noted in the notary's journal.
4. What is the difference between a notary and a loan signing agent?
All certified loan signing agents are notaries but not all notaries are certified loan signing agents. Signing agents are trained independent contractors who are hired by lenders and title companies to assist in the final stage of the mortgage process. The signing agent usually prints the loan package for the signer and follows any special instructions given by the lender or title company.
Signing agents are trained to guide the borrower through the loan documents at a real estate closing. They briefly present each document and point out the terms of the agreement; however, they may not offer advice or an interpretation of its terms. They witness the signing, give oaths or affirmations when needed, and notarize certain documents in the package. They scan the signed file, email it back to title, and ship documents back via courier.
5. Can a notary notarize a COPY of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate?
No, a notary may not execute what is called a "copy certification" of any record that is recorded in a public office. Only the clerk of the court or the county clerk where documents originate can certify this type of copy. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are examples of publicly recorded documents. The Virginia notary cannot certify true copies of any court-issued document. Only the Virginia Department of Health can issue certified copies of these.
Visit the Virginia Dept. of Health's Office of Vital Records for more information.
6. How much can a notary charge in the state of Virginia as of 2023?
A Virginia notary may not charge more than $5 per notarial act. The only other fee a notary may charge is for their actual travel expenses if required to travel from home or office. Only 20 other states in the country have a $5 limit on their fees. (See the Code of Virginia.)