Frequently Asked Questions

Notaries are public officials who serve as a witness of the signing of important documents. A notary, or notary public, is an official of integrity appointed by state government to serve the public as an impartial witness when important documents are signed.  Notaries are not lawyers and can not give legal advice.

 As an official witness of a state, a notary helps prevent fraud. By witnessing the signing of documents or administering oaths, the notary is there to make sure participants are willing and all tasks are carried out properly. Notaries can only work in the state in which they are appointed.

States have different rules about what types of activities or transactions must be notarized. And some states may recommend but not require a notary for certain things.

Notarizations are commonly part of business in local government, legal proceedings and when an official is sworn in. You may need a notary when you write a will or name a power of attorney, or for certain bank documents or medical records.

Here’s what to expect if you need something notarized:

• The parties involved must be together in person.
• The document is reviewed to ensure it explains the type of notarization required and conforms to the state’s requirements.
• The notary verifies the identity of the signers. How does a notary identify a signer? A notary can rely on personal knowledge, identification documents or a credible witness who can vouch for a person’s identity.

We generally serve Barrow, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Walton, and Rockdale Counties.  If you are in need of service outside of these counties, please let us know in advance so that we may accommodate you.