I am doing a mobile notary assignment today. I have to complete this form and I have two questions:
Has anyone ever seen this form before? I am not going to stamp it because I cannot stamp a document I am not notarizing and does not contain any notarial language.
The lower box is a space for me to put the ID (presumably a driver’s license because it’s too small for anything else) and take a picture of it, then I am supposed to email it to the agency. I was taught (and believe) that the notary should not have pictures of people’s ID on her phone (non-secure device).
I have contacted the agency who gave me the assignment, but I haven’t heard back from them yet.
Over-reaching form, but ya’ gotta give 'em (m/l) what they want. What I would do is have the signers provide a copy of their DL and e-mail form & DL scan to them. Also, as you correctly stated–NO stamp–that’s the law!
@Arichter … thank you for your answer! Thanks to other posts here, I have already seen (and dealt with) forms that inappropriately ask for my stamp. It was the requirement for the ID photo that kind of threw me off. Since I have to complete this form to get paid, I didn’t want to NOT comply. But I also didn’t want to do something wrong.
This is the one time I will disagree with @Arichter. This is a statement of acknowledgement from the signer (albeit about notary services) where you are being asked to notarize their statement. The form is acting in two different capacities: 1) as an acknowledgement and 2) as your confirmation of ID, by requesting that a copy their ID be appended to the document. I believe that the prior (statement of acknowledgement) requires your stamp - and indeed that is where the request for notary stamp is requested. Whereas the ID confirmation does not require notarization. In my estimation you have two options: go back to the SS/Title company and get clarification about the form then inform them of the conundrum that it presents and its use, or just complete and include your stamp. I don’t think it’s straightforward.
You’re probably right, Tisino. In real life, I’ve never seen this form and it’s so small on screen, I didn’t even attempt to read it and ‘assumed’ it was just another of those over-reaching forms that want the notary to sign…and then notarize their own signature. Uh…No.
Not sure of Utah law, but in FL I could not affix my stamp to this document without a proper notary certificate. I’d call the company and explain our laws to them and get their agreement to accept my attaching an ack to the document and stamping that. I’d complete that lower right section sans the stamp.
As to the ID, not sure how you’d copy and print a copy of signer’s ID at the table…I, personally, would not take a picture of it with my phone. You’ll need the company’s guidance here.
@utahsignsecure The adage “Those who have the GOLD make the rules . . .” would be applicable . . . (as long as it’s within the legal guidelines).
FIRST: Of course, my baseline GO TO statement would be to directly reference the Notarial Handbook for your own State. Confirm the existing regulations/statutes PRIOR to conferring with the hiring party so that you’re standing on terra firma.
SECOND: The hiring party is who I always recommend that notaries/professional signing agents [PSAs] reach out to whenever a query of this nature arises. Mind-reading isn’t a component of our responsibilities - so AVOID it at all costs! In addition, the guidelines and standards vary widely from one state to another. So, it can be quite risky to ask for document instructions from members in another state.
Reaching out directly & receiving their reply IN WRITING will ensure you’re executing [or having the signer(s) execute] the documents to meet their requirements. Plus, it avoids inadvertently creating an error that you will be obligated to correct without additional financial compensation. . . .
By asking for a stamp and the notary’s signature, they are asking for the creation of one original notarized document that contains a copy of the signer’s ID. If we suppose that the notary is unwilling to take a picture or scan of the signer’s ID, and there isn’t a printer at the signing location, it will be necessary to provide this form to the signer several days before the appointment, so the signer will be able to put the ID on the sheet and copy or scan it, and then print the photo/scan.
Then the signer could fill out the signer’s part on the copy with the ID image. In a state like mine where there isn’t much wording in the acknowledgement certificate, I could draw a line through the text in the notary box, put my stamp in the box, and to the left of the box hand-write a Vermont short-form acknowledgement. I’d probably draw a box around the acknowledgement to distinguish it from what the signer wrote.
But since this probably was sent just to the notary electronically, it’s a no-go unless the signer has scanning and printing equipment at the signing location. And of course using that equiment will make the appointment last longer.
I just got this from a Company who hired me. They told me in the beginning they understand I do not have to put my stamp. So I just signed and they did want the clients ID sent over with this paper
If I’m going to state on a document that I’m a notary, I want it to be crystal clear what, if any, notarial act I’m performing. Some examples of documents where it might be legitimate to mention that I’m a notary are
a document for which I performed a notarial act and filled out a notarial certificate
an order form for a notary stamp
a letter to a state senator expressing an opinion about a notary-related bill
a resume
I would not mention that I’m a notary in a document where it isn’t clear whether I’m performing a notarization or not. In the document pictured in the first post (if it were competed) there would be a signature from some individual, a notary’s signature, and a statement that the individual is acknowledging something. That could be easily interpreted as the notary taking an acknowledgement, but filling out an incorrect notarial certificate. I wouldn’t fill it out as-is, stamp or no stamp.
I would have had the signer fill out the part designated for them and ask them for a photocopy of their ID. If one couldn’t be provided, I would take a picture of their ID, front and back and email it to the company. After that, I would delete the photo in front of the signer. In the box for the identification, I would have the signer state a copy had been emailed to the company.
I would then ask the signer to let me know whether an acknowledgement or a jurat should be what the signer wants attached the document and print on the document in the notary section “Pleas see attached certificate” on the notary signature line, along with my initials. I would then staple the certificate and copy of the ID to the document unless a copy had been emailed.
This document is Certificate Of Completion from Finest Mobile Notary . Ive done several of these already for this company, I don’t stamp it. I have the signers fill out their portion and take a picture of their ID in the section provided. The signers NEVER have a problem with that.
I received one of these from Finest and you want to complete this in order to get paid. I was told a stamp wasn’t required so I crossed through and initialed those sections. I placed the signer’s ID in the box and took a picture with my phone. Emailed the photo and was paid the next morning.
The key takeaway is to ask questions of the person who hires you.
I was assigned a notary service from a signing agency using this same form. I did inquire about the expectation and procedure as to how they wanted it delivered. It is an acknowlegement from the signer upon their agreement with the signing agency as it pertains to payment to the agency, their satisfaction of services rendered and its considered a certificate of completion of services. I believe its s a condition upon acceptance that they understand its voluntary to sign.
Looking at this document I have to ask, where’s the notarial certificate. The box on the right doesn’t comply with a Texas Notarial Certificate. I wouldn’t apply my stamp without it.
The signer is signing the doc; it’s your job to legalize the signature. Either attach a loose all-purpose acknowledgment or stamp one; there’s plenty of room. I would staple a copy of the signer’s ID too.
