Frequently Asked Questions for Notary Near Me!

A notary public is a state-appointed official who verifies and certifies the signing of legal documents. Their main role is to check the identities of the signers and prevent fraud. A notary public acts as a neutral witness to the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signers know and agree to what they are signing. They also administer oaths or affirmations. 

A loan signing agent is a special type of notary who has received certified training to assist with real estate transactions. They work as independent contractors for signing services, lenders, and title companies. The signing agent walks the borrower through the loan closing process, ensuring each document is executed correctly. They briefly explain each document and highlight the key terms, but they do not give legal advice or interpretation. They witness the signing of documents, administer oaths or affirmations, and notarize and sign documents.

An Apostille Agent is a professional who assists individuals and businesses in obtaining an Apostille, which is a certification used to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

The agent's role typically includes:

1. Document Preparation: Ensuring the document is complete, correctly signed, and notarized if necessary.
2. Authentication Process: Submitting the document to the appropriate state or federal agency (such as the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State) to obtain the Apostille certificate.
3. Knowledge of Requirements: Understanding the specific requirements for the country where the document will be used, as these can vary.
4. Convenience: Acting as a liaison between the client and the issuing agency, saving clients time and reducing the complexity of the process.
5. Returning the Apostille Certificate: Safely and promptly delivering the authenticated document and Apostille certificate back to the client, either in person, by mail, or via a secure courier service. 

 Common documents that may require an Apostille include:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Power of attorney
• Business agreements
• Academic transcripts and diplomas
• Background checks

Yes, we provide Apostille services in Aldie, Annandale, Ashburn, Burke, Fairfax, Herndon, Leesburg, Manassas, Reston, Sterling, and beyond. Our coverage extends nationwide across all USA.

You are required to provide a VALID government-issued photo ID, such as:

• U.S. State Issued Driver’s License
• U.S. State Issued Photo ID
• U.S. Passport Book
• Certificate of US citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Foreign Passport

A witness must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid form of identification. They must be impartial and not have any interest or involvement in the document or transaction that they are witnessing. They must be present and observe the signer signing the document. They must sign the document as witnesses and provide their printed name and address. 

By law, a notary cannot explain or interpret the contents of any document for you, nor instruct you on how to complete a document or direct you whether or not you should sign a particular document. You should consult an attorney for all legal matters.

1. Acknowledgment certificate

The purpose of an acknowledgment is for a signer, whose identity has been verified, to declare to a Notary that he or she has willingly signed a document.

2. Jurat certificate

The purpose of a jurat is for a signer to swear to or affirm the truthfulness of the contents of a document to a Notary. An Oath will be administered, and your signature must be witnessed by the Notary.

The cost varies by the type of document, the number of signers, the quantity of notarizations, and the distance travelled to the client location. Contact us for an estimate based on your unique situation. 

Payment is due at the time of booking your appointment. After scheduling, you will receive an invoice or a secure payment link via email. We accept various payment methods, including Zelle. Once your payment is received, a confirmation email will be sent to you to finalize your appointment. 

A variety of documents can be notarized, some of the most common documents includes affidavits, power of attorney, wills, deeds, contracts, and more.  Learn More

Vital Records cannot be notarized. A vital record is a government document containing information about a person’s important life events, such as:

• birth certificates
• death certificates
• marriage certificates 

Only the Virginia Department of Health can issue certified copies of vital records. Visit Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for further information.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a process that allows documents to be notarized electronically without the physical presence of the signer and the notary. Instead, the signer and the notary communicate through audio-visual technology over the internet, using a computer or mobile device.

he signer must have a valid, government-issued photo ID and access to a device with a camera and microphone. U.S. residents will be verified using a Social Security number, ID verification, and Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions. Foreign nationals without a U.S. Social Security number can be authenticated using biometric verification with a foreign passport only. See other acceptable forms of identification listed above. Once verified, you will join the notary on a secure virtual platform via audio and video for notarization. 

The unauthorized practice of law means offering legal services without being licensed as an attorney. A Notary may not:

• Choose the particular document a customer may need for a transaction.
• Choose the type of notarization or certificate wording for a given document. The customer must decide.
• Prepare a document or give advice on how to fill out, draft or complete a document.
• Provide legal advice or answer questions about a legal matter.

Only licensed attorneys may perform these services, non-attorney Notaries may not.