Can a Post Office Notarize?

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Some people think they never need a notary, and many never need one. However, circumstances may make it necessary. In many cases, an individual or business may require the services of a notary public. Getting your essay or document notarized is an easy process that only takes a few minutes. A person notarizing a document or other document must obtain permission from the state and go through a prescribed procedure to make the procedure official. Read on to learn more about notarization and whether you can offer this service at the post office.

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What Is Notarization?

Notarization is the process of having your documents signed, stamped, and witnessed by a licensed notary public. The person witnessing the document must record the transaction in an official journal and fill in the name and information of the person who signed the document requiring notarization.

Once the notary public has ensured that the document is properly signed and dated, they will stamp and sign the document.

Does Notarization Cost Money?

In most cases, the company or business will provide notary services for a fee. If you know someone who provides this service, they can choose to do it for you for free. It is important that the notary is up-to-date and currently holds a license to avoid future questions about the authenticity of documents. Most places that offer notary services will charge around $10 to $15.

Does the Post Office Notarize?

You might be thinking of having your documents notarized by the nearest post office. However, the Post Office cannot notarize because it is a federal agency and notarization is a state service. There may be some post offices with private businesses in the same building that provide notary services, but the actual post office does not provide customers with notaries as part of their services.

Why Post Offices Cannot Notarize

The need for a notary may not come up often, but when an event does, a notary can become critical. While it may seem okay to assume that a post office notary public can provide services, federal law does not allow it. States can authorize people who can notarize documents, but the federal government cannot.

Getting a license goes through a prescribed process, making it official. Once licensed, notaries can screen signers for many different types of documents.

Where Can People Get Documents Notarized?

There are many places around a city or town that offer notary services. In fact, most banks offer notary services to their clients for a small fee. Some document banks will refuse notarization. In that case, you’d have to go to something like a UPS store and have their notary provide the service. The best way to find a notary public in your area is to do a quick internet search and then call the business to see if they offer the notary services you need.

What Type of Documentation is Required for Notarization?

In most cases, notary public requires your driver’s license or state-issued ID to provide their services. This is because you have to prove who you are and log the information provided on the ID card into the official register along with your ID number. If you don’t have either of these two, you can call and ask if there are any alternatives, or how to get the documents needed for notarization.

At some point, most people need the services of a notary. This can happen with student registrations, large ticket purchases, or even rental agreements. Find out where your local notary public is located and what types of notary services they can provide, as not every business or notary public will witness every document. You may need to find a place for a variety of needs.

Understanding the Need for Notarization

A staggering number of documents require a notary, and no notary can stop a sale, prevent money from being transferred, or deny medical treatment. Some situations occur frequently, but many others exist as well.