This Friday morning, I notarized a buyer’s package at the Walmart Vision Center. The primary signer was an optometrist, with the seller and two witnesses present. During setup, I overheard a heated discussion between two men, one of whom seemed to be a police officer there for personal reasons. A witness told the police officer to back off, escalating the tension, which made me consider leaving.
During the signing, a Walmart manager mistakenly dated a document as 01/07/2025 instead of 02/07/2025. After he left, I noticed the error. When I informed the doctor, she asked if she could correct it herself. I explained that this is against notarial practice and could be seen as fraudulent. She mentioned other notaries allowing such corrections, but I emphasized maintaining strict standards to avoid public confusion and trust issues. This is not a judgment of how others perform their duties.
Yep, no matter how nice they are or how nicely they ask (or how rudely they demand/cajole), I’m not breaking the law for anyone.
“But other Notaries had allow me to do so…” 
The fact that the person was an Optometrist… Go figure!
LOL Yeah right. I am not like those other notaries, doc, I follow the letter of the law.
Carl, have you ever gotten an unlawful request from a hiring company? From folks that KNOW BETTER, but ask anyway? Blows my mind when it happens.
Yes, I have, especially from the nationwide hiring companies.
Good job, Carl! Follow the letter of the law and you never have to look over your shoulder. We sleep better at night knowing we’ve done our job to the best of our abilities without taking shortcuts that may possibly cause an issue.
Had an attorney once ask me to backdate a notarial act.
Politely declined.
Had one insert a blank notary certificate in a sellers package. Went around and around with them. They wanted me to overlook the little slight of hand. I charged them for printing, refused the signing and really wish I knew who to specifically report them to.
The date on a document is considered every bit as much a part of the signature as the signature itself. Some Lenders refuse to let anyone but the signer date the corresponding date field. Some Lenders are not as strict, especially with individuals who may be handicapped. The time requirement for signers to date the documents themselves is part of my fee in accepting Reverse Mortgages. It is time-consuming.
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