Frequently Asked Questions 🔎 

What is a notarization?

• It is when the document is signed in front of a Notary Public for the purpose of validating the identity of the signer. 

Why is a notarization important? 

• It prevents scams and provides trust to the person receiving the document. For example, if the document is to hand over the ownership of a car, then a document that is not notarized can’t prove that the owner would really like to give up their ownership. If the document is notarized, then one can have trust that the owner is willingly transferring the ownership. In this case it protects the signer. 

How is a notarization done? 

• It requires the person who is signing the document, a valid ID of the signer, and a Notary Public. Depending on the document, the signer must sign in front of the Notary Public. Once the document is signed, the Notary Public will verify the identity by reviewing the ID. If the ID is valid, then the signature and details of the signer will be recorded in the Notary Public’s journal and the Notary will sign and fix their seal to the document itself. 

What is a valid ID?

• An ID must have at least a photo of the signer, name, address, and a physical description trait such as hair color or height.

• Examples of IDS 

  • State Drivers License 

  • Passport of any country 

  • Matricular Consular IDs

  • State IDs 

• If the ID is expired, it may be valid if the issue date was less than five years from the sign date. 

  • For example, if Amy goes to notarize on 03/20/2026 and her ID expired 01/30/2026. If the issue date of the ID is after  03/21/2021, then the ID can be accepted.