A person of proven integrity appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness with duties specified by law. The Notary has the power to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths.

A Florida notary public has the authority to perform the following tasks:

Witness Signatures: A Florida notary can witness the signing of various legal documents, such as contracts, deeds, wills, powers of attorney, and affidavits.
Administer Oaths and Affirmations: Notaries can administer oaths and affirmations, which are formal declarations of truthfulness made under penalty of perjury.
Attest to Copies: Notaries can certify copies of certain documents as true and accurate copies of the original.
Take Depositions: Notaries can also take depositions, which involve recording the statements of witnesses under oath during legal proceedings.
Protest Notes and Bills: Notaries can officially protest non-payment or non-acceptance of bills and promissory notes, which is a formal process for disputes related to negotiable instruments.
Authenticate Acknowledgments: Notaries can provide an acknowledgment, confirming that a person has voluntarily signed a document in their presence.

It's important to note that while these are some of the general duties of a Florida notary, the specific scope of their authority may vary based on state laws and regulations. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

General notary work refers to the typical tasks and responsibilities that a notary public performs in their role. While specific duties may vary depending on the jurisdiction, here are some common examples of general notary work:

Acknowledgments: Notaries acknowledge the signing of documents by verifying the identity of the signer, ensuring their willingness to sign, and confirming their understanding of the document's content.
Jurats: Notaries administer oaths or affirmations to individuals who need to make sworn statements or sign affidavits. They certify that the statements made are true to the best of their knowledge.
Witnessing Signatures: Notaries witness the signing of documents to verify the identity of the signer and ensure they sign voluntarily. This can include contracts, deeds, powers of attorney, wills, and more.
Document Certification: Notaries may certify copies of original documents, indicating that the copy is a true and accurate replica of the original.
Recordkeeping: Notaries maintain a journal or record book where they document each notarial act, including the date, type of document, identification details of the parties involved, and any fees collected.
Verifying Signatures: Notaries may be asked to compare a signature on a document with a known signature to verify its authenticity.
Notary Certificates: Notaries complete and attach a notary certificate or notarial seal to a document to indicate that the notarial act has been performed.
Administering Affirmations: Notaries can administer affirmations, which are solemn declarations made by individuals who have objections to swearing oaths due to religious or personal beliefs.
Mobile Notary Services: Notaries may offer mobile services, traveling to a client's location to perform notarial acts, particularly for those who are unable to travel to a notary's office.

It's important to note that the scope of a notary's work is limited to the notarial acts defined by the laws of their jurisdiction. Notaries must adhere to legal requirements and ethical standards to ensure the validity and integrity of notarized documents.

Embassy legalization, also known as consular legalization or embassy authentication, is a process by which official documents are verified and authenticated for use in a foreign country. This process is often necessary to ensure that documents issued in one country are recognized and accepted as valid in another country.

The embassy legalization process typically involves the following steps:

Notarization: The document is first notarized by a licensed notary public. This step confirms the authenticity of the signatures on the document.
Authentication: After notarization, the document is usually authenticated by a government agency designated for this purpose, such as the Secretary of State's office in the United States. This step verifies the notary's commission and signature.
Legalization by a Government Department: In some cases, the authenticated document must then be submitted to a specific government department or agency for further verification. This step ensures that the document conforms to the issuing country's laws and regulations.
Consular Legalization: Once the document has been notarized, authenticated, and legalized by the relevant government department, it is then presented to the embassy or consulate of the foreign country where the document will be used. The embassy or consulate reviews the document's authenticity and attaches their official seal or stamp, indicating that the document is recognized and accepted in the country.

Embassy legalization is often required for documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational diplomas, business contracts, and other legal documents. It is crucial for international transactions, immigration processes, educational pursuits, business operations, and more, where the foreign country's authorities need assurance of the document's legitimacy.

The specific requirements and procedures for embassy legalization can vary depending on the countries involved and their respective regulations. It's advisable to consult the embassy or consulate of the destination country and potentially seek assistance from professional agencies that specialize in document authentication and legalization.

There are a few occasions where witnesses are needed. Please read the certificate given to you by the document preparer or contact them with any questions. Please know what type of notarization(s) you need before scheduling.

These are the following:

Acknowledgment
Certified Copy
Jurat
Oath or Affirmation

Please let us know if you need a certificate and the type. We will have them with us. Be sure to tell us if you need a witness or witnesses, we are qualified to be a witness.

Yes, your witness is required to be present. If not, the appointment will be rescheduled and, there is an additional travel fee.

A Notary Signing Agent (NSA) is a specialized type of notary public who is trained and authorized to handle the notarization of documents related to real estate transactions, particularly mortgage loan closings. NSAs play a crucial role in the closing process of real estate transactions by ensuring that all necessary documents are properly notarized and signed by the involved parties.

The responsibilities of a Notary Signing Agent include:

Reviewing Documents: NSAs review loan documents and other legal paperwork to ensure they are accurate and complete before the signing appointment.
Verifying Identities: NSAs verify the identities of the signers by checking their government-issued photo IDs to prevent fraud.
Witnessing Signatures: During the signing appointment, NSAs witness the signing of documents and notarize the necessary ones, confirming that the signatures are genuine.
Explaining Documents: NSAs may provide explanations of the documents to the signers, although they cannot provide legal advice. They ensure that signers understand what they are signing.
Returning Documents: After the signing is complete, NSAs ensure that the documents are properly organized, signed, and notarized. They then return the documents to the appropriate parties, often including the lender or title company.

Notary Signing Agents are especially important in the mortgage industry because real estate transactions involve a significant number of documents that require notarization. The presence of an NSA ensures that the loan closing process is efficient, accurate, and compliant with legal requirements.

NSAs usually undergo specialized training to understand the intricacies of real estate documents and the specific requirements for mortgage loan closings. They are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

It's worth noting that the regulations and requirements for becoming a Notary Signing Agent can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the country's laws. In the United States, for example, NSAs often need to meet certain qualifications and receive certifications from organizations that specialize in notary education and training.

We DO NOT ISSUE Apostilles or Legalizations. Only the Secretary of State can do this! We are the agents who help facilitate the process for you.

An Apostille (pronounced “ah-po-steel”) is a French word meaning certification.

We process Apostille documents for the State of Florida's Secretary of State. Each document must be certified by a Florida agency or notarized by us, (we can notarize the document(s) if needed). We specialize in filing, processing, copying, and retrieving of the legal document(s). We also process documents that will need Embassy Legalizations for the Embassy of the country where the document(s) will be used (Non-Hague Countries).

An Apostille is simply the name for a specialized certificate, issued by the Secretary of State. The Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic so it will be accepted in one of the other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Suppose you've already paid for a notary service and need to cancel or reschedule. In that case, the specific process and policies can vary depending on the notary's terms of service, the type of service you've requested, and the jurisdiction you're in.

Here's a general guide on what to consider:

Cancellation or Rescheduling Policies: Review the terms and conditions of the notary service you've booked. Many notaries have cancellation and rescheduling policies that outline the steps needed to take and any associated fees. Some notaries might have a specific window during which you can make changes without incurring charges.
Contact the Notary: Reach out to the notary as soon as possible to communicate your need to cancel or reschedule. Provide them with the details of your appointment, the reason for the change, and your preferred alternative date or time if you're requesting a reschedule.
Refund Policies: If you're canceling the service, inquire about their refund policy. Some notaries may offer partial refunds if you cancel within a certain timeframe. Keep in mind that administrative fees or processing fees might be non-refundable.
Rescheduling Availability: If you're requesting a reschedule, discuss available dates and times with the notary. They will let you know if they can accommodate your request and whether any additional fees are associated with rescheduling.
Document Transfer: If you've already provided the documents that need to be notarized, discuss how they will be handled. You may need to provide the notary with new copies if there have been changes.
Confirm Changes: Once you've reached an agreement on the cancellation or rescheduling, make sure to receive confirmation from the notary. This can help avoid any misunderstandings or issues later on.
Communication: Clear and timely communication is key. If you encounter unexpected circumstances that require a change in your appointment, let the notary know as soon as possible.

Remember that notaries are professionals providing a service, and it's important to treat them and their time respectfully. Additionally, be prepared for potential fees associated with cancellations or rescheduling, as outlined in their terms of service. It's recommended to review and understand these terms before making a payment to ensure a smooth process in case changes are needed.

Having a document notarized adds an extra layer of authenticity and ensures that the person signing the document is who they claim to be. Notarization also helps deter fraud and provides legal protection.

Notary publics can be found in various places, such as banks, law offices, post offices, and mobile notary services. You can also search online directories or contact your local government for a list of available notaries.

Notary fees vary depending on the state or country, as well as the type of document being notarized. It is best to inquire about the cost upfront to avoid any surprises.

No, notary publics are not authorized to provide legal advice. Their role is strictly limited to notarizing documents and verifying identities.

Yes, a notary public has the right to refuse notarization if they have doubts about the signer's identity, the document's authenticity, or if the signer is not willing or competent to understand the contents of the document.

Yes, a notary public can notarize a document in a foreign language as long as they understand the nature of the document and can verify the signer's identity.

Some notaries may accept walk-ins, while others work by appointment only. It is best to call ahead and schedule an appointment to ensure the availability of the notary.

When meeting a notary public, you will typically need to bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport. Additionally, bring the document you need notarized, but do not sign it beforehand, as the notary must witness your signature.

Frequently Asked Questions.

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