What a notary does

• Verifies identity: Ensures signers are who they say they are.

• Witnesses signatures: Acts as an impartial witness to the act of signing.

• Administers oaths and affirmations: Allows individuals to swear to the truth of a statement under oath (calling on a supreme being) or under penalty of perjury (affirmation).

• Certifies copies: Can certify copies of certain documents.

• Takes acknowledgements: Guarantees that the signer appeared before them and acknowledged their signature.

• Witnesses signatures: Verifies a signature on a document. 

What a notary cannot do

• Provide legal advice: Notaries are not attorneys.

• Certify documents they translated: Another notary must notarize the translation affidavit.

• Notarize blank or incomplete documents: All documents must be filled out.

• Notarize a signature for someone not present: The signer must appear in person (unless it is a remote online notarization, which is a specific, different process).

• Issue apostilles: These are issued by the Secretary of State. 

Common FAQs

• What ID do I need? You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

• How much does it cost? Fees are typically set by state law, but can vary by location and document type. For example, in Colorado, the maximum fee for a traditional notarization is $15 per document.

• Can I be charged extra for travel? Yes, but any travel or mileage fees must be agreed upon in advance, be reasonable, and be documented.

• What if the document doesn't have a notarial certificate? The notary can add one, either on a loose certificate or by modifying the existing one to comply with state law.

• Can a notary notarize a document from another state or country? Yes, but they must ensure the notarization is done correctly according to their own state's laws. Some foreign documents may require a specific type of certificate to be attached.