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What is Notarization?

Notarization is the official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted. It is a three-part process, performed by a Notary Public, that includes of vetting, certifying and record-keeping. Notarizations are sometimes referred to as “notarial acts.”

Above all, notarization is the assurance by a duly appointed and impartial Notary Public that a document is authentic, that its signature is genuine, and that its signer acted without duress or intimidation, and intended the terms of the document to be in full force and effect.

The central value of notarization lies in the Notary’s impartial screening of a signer for identity, willingness and awareness. This screening detects and deters document fraud, and helps protect the personal rights and property of private citizens from forgers, identity thieves and exploiters of the vulnerable. Every day the process of notarization prevents countless forged, coerced and incompetent signings that would otherwise overwhelm our court system and dissolve the network of trust allowing our civil society to function.

Notary Appointment Preparation

To prepare for a notarization, ensure you have a valid form of government-issued identification like a driver’s license or passport, bring the original, complete document you need notarized, and be ready to sign in the presence of the notary; if required by the document, have any necessary witnesses present with their identification as well.

Can a Notary Correct Mistakes on a Document?

Typically, a public notary can correct information if a mistake exists within a notarial certificate. However, public notaries cannot change the specifics of the document. In fact, the signer has the sole right to make changes to the document. Remember, if the notarization period is complete, then the public notary cannot modify a notarial certificate. In order to make changes, however, the signer has to appear in person in the presence of a notary public to initiate new notarization. Oftentimes, signers find out later that there has been a mistake in the notarization process. Once there is a proper realization and recognition of a mistake, the signer can work with a notary public to rectify the mistake by relatively changing the information.

Is it legal to change a document after signing?

When a document is altered after it has been signed, the consequences can be significant. The act of altering a document may void the document entirely, or it may just create a new contract with different terms. In either case, the parties to the original document may no longer be bound by its terms.

What makes a notarized document invalid?

A notarized document can be invalid if it has missing signatures, improper identification, incorrect or missing notary seals, or an incomplete notary section.