FAQ
Documents a Basic Notary Public can Notarize
Answers to your most common questions about notary services in Richmond, VA, Mechanicsville, Lakeside, and Chamberlayne.
DOCUMENTS A BASIC NOTARY PUBLIC IN VIRGINIA CAN NOTARIZE
Some estate planning documents (e.g., wills, though notaries cannot draft them and should avoid if they’re beneficiaries).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Documents where the signer acknowledges their signature was made willingly and is authentic. Examples include:
Deeds (e.g., warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds) for real estate transactions.
Mortgages and mortgage-related documents (e.g., promissory notes), though complex loan packages may benefit from a notary signing agent.
Powers of Attorney, granting someone authority to act on another’s behalf.
Contracts and agreements (e.g., business contracts, lease agreements), if notarization is required by the parties or law.
Trusts (e.g., living trusts), to verify the grantor’s intent.
OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS: Documents requiring the signer to swear or affirm the truth of the content under penalty of perjury. Examples include:
Affidavits (e.g., affidavit of identity, affidavit of heirship), used in court or legal proceedings.
Sworn statements or declarations for various purposes (e.g., financial affidavits, residency affidavits).
Applications requiring an oath (e.g., passport applications, certain government forms).
JURAT DOCUMENTS: Documents where the notary administers an oath or affirmation, and the signer swears to the truth of the contents. Examples include:
Financial documents (e.g., loan applications, financial statements requiring verification).
Court documents (e.g., pleadings, motions), if signed under oath.
Medical directives or living wills, where the signer affirms their wishes.
CERTIFIED COPIES: Copies of non-recordable documents that the notary verifies as true duplicates of the original. Examples include:
Personal records (e.g., diplomas, transcripts, private contracts), as long as they aren’t vital records (e.g., birth certificates).
Business records (e.g., articles of organization, bylaws), if provided by the entity.
WITNESSING SIGNATURES: Documents where the notary acts as a witness to the signing. Examples include:
Bills of sale for personal property (e.g., vehicles, equipment).
Permission slips or consent forms (e.g., parental consent for minors traveling).