Notary services are necessary for many business and legal transactions. They certify the validity of signatures by establishing the identity of signatories. Notaries also uphold the integrity and legality of a signed document to prevent fraudulent transactions. When you need to have a something notarized, here are a few facts to know about the process.

Commonly Asked Questions on Notary Services

What does a notary public do?

A notary public is a state official who’s commissioned witness to document signing. They establish the signatories’ identities and ensuring they’re signing with a clear mind and sound judgment. While a notary public administers oaths and affirmations and certifies copies of documents, they aren’t authorized to dispense legal advice, draft legally binding documents, or confirm the authenticity of such.

What are the required qualifications to be a notary public?

In Hawaii, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident authorized to work. Being able to understand, read, and write English is a basic requirement, and you can’t be addicted or dependent on narcotics, opioids, and hallucinogens. In other states, applicants can’t be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or felony.    

Are there types of documents that cannot be notarized?

Notary services can authenticate deeds, affidavits, agreements, contracts, and powers of attorney; however, there are instances when notarization isn’t required. For example, certified copies of birth certificates and marriage contracts don’t need to be notarized because they’re public records that are kept in government agencies, so it’s simple to confirm their veracity. These professionals aren’t allowed to notarize an incomplete document as blanks can be filled in with false information, leading to fraud.

What forms of identification are acceptable?

Proper identification should have a photograph, signature, physical description, serial number, and in certain instances, a validity period. Passport, drivers license, and state-issued identification cards can be presented when availing notary services. On the other hand, credit cards and marriage licenses aren’t accepted as proof of identification.

When you need quality notary services, contact the professionals at AAA Legal Process, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. Their experienced team assists the entire island of Oahu with quality process serving, timely document retrieval, and accurate court filing. View their services online, or call (844) 737-8344 to schedule a consultation.