Notarization can seem like a mystery to many, but it doesn’t have to be all serious business and legalese. Let’s have some fun while clearing up a few common misconceptions about notary services:
- “I Can Notarize My Own Documents”
Spoiler alert: you can’t! Notaries are there to serve as neutral witnesses to the signing of documents. If you could notarize your own paperwork, it would defeat the whole purpose of verifying that the signature is authentic and not influenced by any bias. So, no self-notarization allowed! - “A Notary Can Just Sign Anything”
Notaries don’t have magical powers to notarize whatever you give them. They must ensure that the document being notarized meets certain legal requirements and that the signer is doing so willingly and knowingly. No last-minute “oops” moments here! - “Notaries Are Lawyers”
While notaries are certainly professionals, they are not lawyers. They can’t give legal advice, draft legal documents, or offer interpretations of laws. So, if you need legal advice, it’s best to consult an attorney. Your notary is there to handle the paperwork, not the legal intricacies.