Asked and answered

An unexpired, government issued photo ID with your signature on it. A driver license, state ID, passport, permanent resident card or military ID all work. The name on the ID has to match the name on the document, or at least contain it. If your ID says Maria A. Ruiz and the deed says Maria Ruiz, that is fine. The other way around usually is not.

No. A notary has to watch the signature happen, or hear you acknowledge it in person, depending on the certificate. Leave it blank. If you already signed, we can often still handle it as an acknowledgment, but tell us in advance.

Two parts. New York State sets a small fixed fee for the notarial act itself and no notary can charge more than that for the act. On top of that is a travel and time fee for coming to you, which depends on distance and how fast you need it. You get one flat number before you book, and it does not move on the day.

Often yes. Same day slots exist, evenings and weekends too, but they go quickly. Call or text rather than email if you need something within a few hours.

Be careful here. A will in New York has specific execution requirements, and getting it wrong can invalidate the whole thing. We can notarize the self proving affidavit that goes with a will when your attorney has set it up. What we will not do is guide you through executing a will on your own. Talk to an estate attorney first.

Yes, and they are common. The one thing that cannot be worked around is the signer's condition. They have to be awake, aware of what they are signing, able to communicate with us directly, and signing of their own free will. If they are heavily medicated or cannot respond, we have to stop. That is the law, not a preference.

No. A notary is not an attorney and cannot explain what a document means or which form you should use. We also cannot notarize for a signer who does not understand the language of the document, and we cannot use a third party to interpret during the signing. The signer and the notary have to communicate directly.

Some forms need witnesses in addition to the notary, and the notary usually cannot be one of them. New York powers of attorney are the common example. Tell us when you book and we will arrange witnesses. Sprung on us at the door, it becomes a second trip.

Remote online notarization is legal in New York, and the notary has to be registered with the state for it specifically. Ask when you call and we will tell you straight whether we can do your document remotely or whether it needs an in person visit. Some documents and some receiving parties still require ink.

If the ID is expired, a signer is missing, or the document is incomplete, we cannot notarize it. That is why the confirmation message lists what to have ready. If we cannot complete the act for a legal reason, you are not charged for the notarization. Travel may still apply if we made the trip.

Yes. Background screened, E&O covered, and used to full package handling with print, tabs, scanback and same day shipping drop. Send the confirmation and the docs and we will take it from there.