The latest in notary, Apostille, and business news from New York, NY.
Things can get complicated if you are asked to notarize for a signer who is visually impaired. How can you be sure the signer is willing if the signer can’t read the document? Don’t worry, there are ways to overcome these extra challenges, as long as you are careful.
Read MoreOn top of these everyday stressful work situations, the COVID-19 pandemic has required Notaries to meet with signers in odd places or accommodate unusual requests. California Signing Agent Vanessa Moore described how for one signing, she had to meet the signer outdoors using a small children's table to sign and notarize loan documents and Glenn Tabor, Jr. of Virginia once had to make a 2-hour round trip to meet a signer outside in 30-degree weather with 30 mile-per-hour winds blowing.
Read MoreOne of the first questions new Notaries ask is where they can find a Notary mentor. This is true both for mobile Notaries looking to start their business and office Notaries who need help understanding how to carry out their basic duties. But what makes a good Notary mentor, and where are the best places to look? The National Notary Association reached out to a variety of mentors and mentees to ask about their experiences and get their recommendations. Here's what we learned.
Read MoreStarting your new Notary business may seem as free and easy as hanging a shingle, but Notary businesses, like many others, may require certain licenses and requirements, including a business license. Depending on where you live, that shingle may represent advertising at home, and there’s a license for that. If you’re randomly notarizing documents for free here and there, you don’t need to worry about obtaining a business license because you’re not running a business. That’s easy. Figuring out who is required to get one is a much tougher question, but it boils down to where the Notary lives.
Read MoreMany states specifically define a Notary’s role as acting as an impartial, third-party witness, and some, such as California, prohibit Notaries from refusing lawful requests. The Florida Department of State offers guidelines for when Florida Notaries can refuse services. Texas permits refusing if the Notary has reason to believe the signer is coerced or unaware, that the document will be used for illegal purposes, or if the Notary is unfamiliar with the requested act. None of these three states permits refusing a notarization simply because the documents conflicts with the Notary's personal beliefs or preferences.
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