Mortgage applications, powers of attorney, and a variety of other documents have to be notarized, which means you’ll have to sign them in front of an impartial witness. As intimidating as this might sound, visiting a notary is usually a fairly simple process that can often be completed at your local bank, tax preparer, or bookkeeping services provider. If your paperwork needs to be notarized, below are a few facts you should know.

A Quick Guide to Notaries

What Is a Notary Public?

Put simply, a notary is a public official trusted by the state to verify identities and ensure parties to a contract are representing themselves honestly. Most often, notaries verify that the signers of a document are who they claim to be, checking ID and verifying that signatures match. In other cases, they might take an oath from the parties that the information contained in a document is true or certify that a copy of a document is an accurate representation of the original.

Where Types of Documents Need to Be Notarized

Many lenders require applicants to have their documentation notarized, especially for mortgage and other high-value loans. Most legal documents, including petitions, complaints, and sworn affidavits will also usually have to be notarized, along with articles of incorporation and other business documents. Private parties to a contract may also request notarization to protect themselves from fraud and misrepresentation.

Where Do I Find a Notary?

Most banks and tax preparation offices have a notary on staff to quickly process financial documents, and you can typically find one at the courthouse. Other providers, like bookkeeping services and legal offices, usually offer notarizations for a nominal fee.

With a complete suite of tax preparation, notarizing, and bookkeeping services, ZP Tax, Inc. has the expertise to provide customized assistance with whatever you might need. Their highly skilled professionals also offer customizable support services to businesses throughout Silver Spring, MD, including everything from payroll to company registrations. Visit their website for more on their notarization and bookkeeping services, or call (301) 587-4829 to discuss your needs and make an appointment.