How to Prepare for a Mobile Notary: Helpful Tips
Are you thinking about using a mobile notary service but aren’t sure where to start Or have you scheduled your notary appointment and don’t know what you need to have ready? Mobile notaries travel to you as a fast and convenient way to perform notarial acts on legal documents. If you are planning on using a mobile notary, it is important to properly prepare in order to ensure a smooth and successful notarization process.
Use the following tips and tricks to learn everything you need to know to find a reputable Phoenix, Arizona notary business and prepare for your appointment.
What is a mobile notary signing agent?
A mobile notary is a notary public who is able to travel to a client’s location by appointment to provide notary services. A notary public is a person who is commissioned by the State of Arizona to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents and to administer oaths. The main role of a notary is to ensure that the person signing a document is who they claim to be and that they are doing so willingly and of their own free will.
A loan signing agent, also known as a mortgage loan signing agent, is a type of mobile notary who specializes in notarizing loan documents. Bank lenders and title companies often request the services of a loan signing agent to notarize documents related to mortgage loans, refinancing, and other financial transactions. The loan signing agent ensures that the borrower is properly identified according to state laws and signatures are properly notarized.
The benefits of using a mobile notary public
A traveling notary, also known as a mobile notary, is a professional who is able to travel to a client’s location by appointment to provide notary services. This can be a convenient option for individuals or businesses who need notary services but are unable to travel to a notary’s office due to a busy schedule or other commitments.
Mobile notaries can be especially useful in urgent situations where a document needs to be notarized as soon as possible. For example, if you need to notarize a document for a real estate transaction or a legal matter that requires a quick turnaround, a mobile notary can come to your location and take care of the notarization process on the spot.
Here are some of the benefits of using a mobile notary:
- Convenience of location – visits can be arranged at your home, office, or another desired location
- Flexible appointments – appointments are available during business hours and after hours
- Print and scan documents – the notary can mobile print and digitally scan any of the documents
- Locally deliver documents – the notary can provide courier services to deliver documents
- Ship documents – the notary can mail your documents for you through FedEx or UPS, or another mail courier
- Apply for an apostille – the notary can apply for your documents to receive an apostille from the Arizona Secretary of State, another Secretary of State, or U.S. Department of State (you must pay a filing fee)
Common types of document notarization
Mobile notaries are hired to notarize a wide variety of documents, but some of the most common types of documents that they are asked to notarize include:
- Court Affidavits and Divorce documents
- Affidavits: A sworn written statement made by a person voluntarily.
- Powers of Attorneys: Electing someone to act on an individual’s behalf financially or medically while they are alive.
- Contracts: A legally-binding agreement between two or more parties.
- Simple Wills: An individual’s wishes on how they want their assets distributed and guardianship handled after death.
- Trusts: A fiduciary agreement where an appointed trustee holds on to designated assets for beneficiary distribution before or after the individual’s death.
- Living Wills and Healthcare Directives: An individual’s medical care wishes in the event they are unable to make decisions for themselves.
- Guardianships or Conservatorships: One or more people appointed to make decisions on an individual’s behalf due to age or disability or for their dependents.
- Grant Deeds, Quitclaim Deeds, or a Transfer of Property Ownership: The transfer of property ownership from one person to another.
- Real Estate Closing Loan Documents: The documents required from lenders and title companies to sell a property.
- Mortgage Documents: The terms and agreements for general sale, purchase, refinance, or home equity line of credit (HELOC) of property.
- Vehicle Titles and Registration: The transfer of a vehicle to another person or state-issued registration documents.
- Adoption Papers or Forms: New or existing adoption documents, such as a Certificate of Adoption.
- Personal Loan Agreements: A personal loan agreement between two parties.
- Prenuptial Agreements: The terms and agreements from both parties before getting married, which might include the division of assets in the event of divorce or death.
I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.
Schedule your appointment with a reputable notary expert
It wouldn’t make sense to hire just anyone without first knowing what to look for to make sure you have an accredited and reputable signing agent business. Anyone can become a notary public and start a mobile notary business with a little paperwork and minimal startup costs.
So when you use the internet to find a mobile notary, make sure the signing service companies or individuals you review are state-certified notary experts. This will give you peace of mind that your documents are appropriately certified for official use.
You can find out more about Joyful Mobile Notary by visiting our website or our Google Business Listing to read our reviews.
Easy steps to prepare for your notary appointment
Making sure you have everything necessary for the notary is key to a quick and efficient appointment.
- Gather all necessary documents: Make sure you have all of the documents will require a notary stamp.
- Review the documents carefully: Take the time to carefully review the documents that you want notarized. Make sure you can understand all of the terms and conditions of the documents before you sign them. Remember a notary is not an attorney and cannot provide legal services, draft documents, or give any legal advice. It is best to seek out a qualified attorney to answer any legal questions prior to your notary appointment.
- Prepare a suitable location: Make sure you have a suitable location for the mobile notary to work. The location should be well-lit, have a table or flat surface to work on, and be free of distractions.
- Minimize distractions from pets: It is important to put your pets away while a notary visits your home in order to ensure a safe and distraction-free environment for the notarization process.
- Verify the mobile notary’s identity: It is important to verify the identity of the mobile notary before allowing them to notarize your documents. You can do this by asking him or her to see their notary commission and identification.
Understanding general notary work and process
On the day of your notary appointment, bring the document and 2 forms of identification like a driver’s license, passport or other government-issued photo ID. The notary will review the signer’s identity and document to ensure that the notarial certificate is complete and correct, then they will confirm that the contents are accurate. Afterwards, the signer signs the document in front of the notary and applies a thumbprint (if required)*.
After the notary verifies all requirements, the state requires the notary to affix their official notary stamp onto the document, which includes their signature, date, and any other required information such as the State and County. This seal is unique to the notary and state.
Summary
It’s important to properly prepare your documents for a smooth and successful notary transaction. Use the tips and tricks provided when choosing a reputable mobile notary, bringing your documents, and having a valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID. When you are prepared, the process is quick and easy to do!
Schedule a notary appointment today!
Use Joyful Mobile Notary to schedule a traveling notary today and quickly notarize all of your important legal documents. Our mobile notary services come with a professional willing to help you along the way.
Appointment times for signing services are flexible and can be scheduled online or by phone! Call me at 623-300-4309 or go to www.joyfulmobilenotary.com today to start talking about your notary needs. Online notary services are also available when it’s not possible to meet you at the home or office to notarize a specific document or a set of documents.