Notary Blog Articles

While your official stamp or seal might get all the attention, your journal is equally important. A well-maintained journal can protect you in case of disputes and ensure accuracy in your work. Learn why prefilling entries can lead to errors and how

This Notary Public Day, let's take a moment to recognize the dedication, expertise, and professionalism behind every notarization. It's not just about "sign and stamp" — notaries play a vital role in safeguarding trust and accountability.

Changes are coming for Georgia notaries starting January 1, 2025! All notaries performing acts for "self-filers" will be required to document these in a notary journal—either written or electronic. Learn how you can stay ahead of the changes and

Can you perform one “blanket” verbal ceremony, or do you need to do it for each document? Find out the correct approach in this article!

Even if you know the signer, as a notary, always ask for ID to prevent fraud and protect yourself. See why it's essential to verify identity, even with familiar faces!

When asked to notarize a signature, should a notary review the entire document before performing the notarial act?

Are you keeping copies of your customers' notarized documents to prove your accuracy? You might be violating their privacy! Discover the right way to protect yourself —without violating your customers' privacy.

When you think of a notary public, the first image that likely comes to mind is their distinctive stamp or embossed seal on a document. This mark is a widely recognized symbol of a notary's authority. But what happens if the stamp is missing? Does it

Imagine showing up to an appointment only to realize it can't be completed due to a preventable issue. Frustrating, right? Our guide will help you avoid these common pitfalls by providing essential questions to ask your clients.

The quick answer is "No!" But there's more to explore about this frequently asked question.

So, you’ve just become a notary for the first time. Now what?

Yes, notaries… it’s possible to safely perform a notarization involving a document written in an unfamiliar language, but you must carefully assess the circumstances and proceed with care.

When identifying a principal signer, a notary may find that the name on the principal’s identification credential doesn’t exactly match how their name appears on the document presented for notarization. Notaries can possibly resolve these

Do you know what a loose notary certificate is and how to use one?

Why is regular use of a notary journal/record book so important to a notary public?

Curious about what a notary public is and how you can become one? Explore our blog to learn more about notaries and how you can join their ranks!

Effective January 1, 2025, every Georgia notary public who performs a notarial act at the request of a “self-filer” must document the notarial act in a “written” (paper) or electronic journal.

Before proceeding with any notarization, a notary must determine if they are able to perform the task or if they must decline it. This involves several key checks.

Perhaps this has happened to you… a person presents a handwritten document or letter with no notarial “certificate” language on it, but they ask for their signature to be notarized. Knowing the proper steps to take, as a notary, can help prepare you

Many assume an identification credential is always necessary to identify a person requesting a notarial act.  But under the right circumstances, a notary can identify a person by “personal knowledge” of that individual’s identity.