What to bring
Most appointments that go wrong go wrong for one of four reasons: no acceptable ID, a document already signed, a signer who isn't there, or witnesses who were never arranged. Here's how to avoid all four.
Identification
Florida law requires me to identify every signer either personally or from an identification document. Each signer needs one of these, and it must be current:
- A Florida driver license or identification card, or one from another state or territory
- A United States or foreign passport
- A United States military identification card
The ID must have a photograph and a signature where the law requires one, and a serial or identifying number. A Social Security card, a credit card, a work badge, or a birth certificate is not acceptable.
The document
- Bring the whole document, every page, filled in except for the signatures and dates that go in front of the notary. I can't notarize a document with blanks that are meant to be completed.
- Don't sign it ahead of time. For an acknowledgment I can take an earlier signature if you acknowledge it in front of me, but for a jurat or an oath the signature must happen in my presence. If you're not sure which your document needs, leave it unsigned.
- If the document has no notarial certificate, I carry the standard Florida forms and can attach one. I can't choose which type you need, though; the receiving agency, or the form's own instructions, say whether it's an acknowledgment or a jurat.
The people
- Everyone who's signing needs to be there in person.
- Each signer must be able to understand what they're signing and must be signing willingly. I'm required to decline if someone seems confused, pressured, or unable to communicate with me.
Witnesses
Many documents need witnesses in addition to the notary: a Florida will needs two, a deed needs two, and many powers of attorney and health care directives need two. Witnesses must be adults, bring their own acceptable ID, and often can't be related to the signer or named in the document. If you don't have suitable witnesses, say so in the notes when you book and I'll arrange them for a small additional fee per witness.
Payment
The appointment fee is paid by card when you book. Florida's notarial fee, $10 per signature notarized, is paid at the appointment by cash, card, or Zelle, and you'll get a receipt showing both.
Hospitals, care homes, and rehab
Please check with the nurses' station that the patient is awake, alert, and able to see visitors at the time of the appointment, and that there's somewhere to sign. If the patient can't hold a pen, Florida allows a signature by mark, or for the notary to sign at their direction in the presence of two disinterested witnesses. Tell me in the notes and I'll come prepared.
A notary verifies identity and witnesses a signature. I can't give legal advice, choose documents for you, or tell you what a document means.