Client Guide: Your Online Notary Appointment

To ensure your document signing is legally binding and goes smoothly, please review this guide. A notary public’s primary role is to verify your identity and ensure you are signing of your own free will.

1. What You Need to Bring

Please have the following ready at the start of our session:

Valid Government-Issued Photo ID: This is non-negotiable. Acceptable forms include:
- Valid Driver’s License or State ID
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military ID
- Foreign Passport (must be stamped by USCIS)
The Complete Document: I cannot notarize a document that is missing pages or contains blank spaces. Please ensure the document is filled out entirely except for the signature and notary sections.
All Required Signers: Every person whose signature needs notarizing must be physically present (or present via an approved remote platform, if pre-arranged).

2. Important "Don’ts"

Do Not Sign Yet: I must witness you signing the document. If you sign it before we meet, I will have to ask you to sign it again on a fresh copy.
Do Not Bring Expired IDs: Your identification must be current.

Note: As a Notary Public, I am not an attorney. I cannot draft legal documents, nor can I give legal advice on the effect or content of your documents

Reasons a Notary may refuse to notarize your document:

1. Issues with the Signer

Lack of Proper ID: The signer cannot provide a valid, current, government-issued photo ID (or lacks "satisfactory evidence" of identity).
Signer Not Present: The person is not physically in front of you (unless you are an Certified Remote Online Notary using an approved platform).
Lack of Capacity: The signer appears disoriented, heavily medicated, intoxicated, or otherwise lacks the mental capacity to understand what they are signing.
Coercion/Duress: You suspect the signer is being pressured or forced to sign against their will.
Language Barrier: You and the signer cannot communicate directly, and Indiana law restricts the use of translators in certain notarial acts if the notary cannot verify the intent.

2. Issues with the Document

Incomplete Document: The document has blank spaces that should be filled in, or it is missing pages.
No Notarial Certificate: The document lacks the "block" (Acknowledgment or Jurat), and the signer is unable or unwilling to choose which act they need.
Vital Records: You are asked to certify a copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate. In Indiana, only the Custodian of Records (Health Dept/County Clerk) can certify these.
Post-dating or Pre-dating: The signer asks you to put a date on the certificate other than the actual date they are standing in front of you.

3. Issues with the Notary (Conflict of Interest)

Personal Interest: You are named as a party in the document or will receive a direct financial or beneficial interest from the transaction (beyond your standard notary fee).
Family Members: It is a high-risk "best practice" to refuse notarizing for a spouse, parent, or child to avoid any appearance of partiality.
Unauthorized Act: The request is for something a notary isn't allowed to do (e.g., "notarizing a photograph" or providing legal advice).

4. Other Valid Reasons

Suspected Fraud: You have a reasonable suspicion that the transaction is illegal, deceptive, or fraudulent.
Refusal to Pay: The signer refuses to pay the fee.

Noblesville Notary - Online Notary Public

Client Guide: Your Online Notary Appointment

1. What You Need to Bring

2. Important "Don’ts"

Reasons a Notary may refuse to notarize your document:

1. Issues with the Signer

2. Issues with the Document

3. Issues with the Notary (Conflict of Interest)

4. Other Valid Reasons

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