Notary FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people ask
regarding their notary appointment and policies in Northern Virginia.

What should I know in order to arrange a notary appointment for my elderly 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.
 

What should I know about witness requirements in Virginia?

The document (or your attorney) will tell you if witnesses are required. If they are required, you would find witness signature lines near the testator's signature line. 

Signing a will: In Virginia, the signing of a will must be witnessed by two competent persons who must sign the will in front of the testator. If you are arranging a signing of a will for your family member, please ensure that the witnesses will be present. Witnesses must be at least 18 years of age, be of sound mind, cannot be named in the documents, and must be a disinterested party. They must also provide their current photo ID. If your family member resides in an assisted living  or rehab facility, note that many facilities do not allow their staff members to act as a witness. It is my experience that even if they are allowed, they often do not have the time to spend, especially if an issue arises for the signer. No one should be rushed through the signing of their documents. 
 

Must the signer be alert and aware at the notary appointment?

Yes, the signer must be alert and aware of what they're signing. The signer should be able to explain the general purpose of the document and their relationship to the other people in the room. If the notary is not confident that the signer is coherent at the signing table, the notarization cannot take place. Sometimes there is a time of day in which the signer is more alert and coherent, so please consider that. 
 

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.
 

Where and when does the mobile notary public work?

A mobile notary travels to the client to notarize their legal documents. I travel to the location of your choice because many people have busy lives or are just not mobile themselves. I travel to your home, office, bank, senior living facility, or rehab facility, and I will even schedule evening and weekend appointments, if needed.  
 

Why does the notary skim the documents before notarizing? 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.
 

Can my document get notarized even though there are blanks?

No, there should not be any blank lines in your documents. The notary looks for blank lines, as they may not notarize an incomplete document. It is mainly for the signer's protection that this is so, as signing an incomplete document may facilitate fraud. In several states it is illegal to notarize an incomplete document. It pays to review your document carefully before getting it notarized, as you may have to contact the assigning party if unsure about how to complete something. Only when it is complete can you have it notarized. 
 

What is the difference between a notary and a loan signing agent?

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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.   

Can a Virginia notary notarize a COPY of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate?

No, a Virginia 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. 

What can a Virginia mobile notary charge for services?

On July 1, 2024, the maximum fee per notarial act a Virginia notary public could charge was increased to $10. The only other fee a Virginia notary may charge is for actual travel expenses if required to travel from home or office.
(Code of Virginia) 


What are some acceptable meeting locations other than our home?

I have gladly met signers at the following locations to notarize their documents: their home, office, coffee shop, rehab facility, assisted living facility, hospital, bank, school, public library, title company office, realtor's office, and attorney's office. 

What should I do if the document that needs notarization has no notarial verbiage after my signature line? Can it still be notarized? 

Yes. You may need to get a letter or a contract notarized, but there is no notarial block on the document, which would normally appear below your signature line and contain the notary's signature, identifying information, and seal. If you encounter this, you should ask the receiving agency (the attorney, the title company, or mortgage company) what type of notarization they need; is it an Acknowledgement or a Jurat? If you created the document, you may choose the notarial act yourself. An Acknowledgement affirms that the signer signed the document willingly; in the Jurat, the signer swears/affirms to the truthfulness of the document, and the signer takes an oath. 

I'm moving to Spain and my new school requires that my high school transcript and diploma get the apostille seal at the Secretary of the Commonwealth.  Can you notarize my transcript and diploma?   

Yes, there are different ways that the notarization of the transcript and diploma can be notarized. The important thing is to know exactly what your new school requires. Once we know if it's an original or a copy that is required, we can go from there. We'd need to get an appointment at your high school registrar's office to get them notarized.  My recent article, Notarizing your Transcript or Diploma, provides an overview. 

Does Emerald Mobile Notary Service travel all over Fairfax County, Virginia?

I provide mobile notary services throughout most of Fairfax County, including Annandale, Burke, Chantilly, Clifton, Centreville, Dunn Loring, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, McLean, Oakton, North Springfield, Reston, Tysons, and Vienna.  See map and service areas. 

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