Notary Blog
Expert guides, tips, and advice for notaries public.
How to Notarize a Divorce Decree
A judge-signed divorce decree cannot be notarized — the supporting settlement agreements and affidavits can. Learn the process, ID checks, and pitfalls.
How to Notarize a Marriage Certificate
Learn how to notarize a marriage certificate: who must appear (usually the officiant), jurat vs. acknowledgment, and key vital-record rules.
How to Notarize a Medical Directive or Living Will
Learn how to notarize a medical directive or living will: capacity screening, witness rules, and the notarial steps that keep healthcare wishes enforceable.
How to Notarize a Real Estate Deed
Learn how to notarize a real estate deed: witness rules, venue and seal requirements county recorders enforce, and how to avoid a rejected recording.
How to Notarize a Transcript or Diploma
Learn the two compliant ways to notarize a transcript or diploma — certified copies vs. the custodian method — plus apostille prep and common pitfalls.
How to Notarize a Trust Document
Learn how to notarize a trust document: capacity screening, settlor vs. trustee signatures, credible witnesses, and the mistakes that derail estate plans.
How to Notarize an Affidavit
Learn how to notarize an affidavit step by step: administering the jurat oath, verifying ID, fixing name mismatches, and recording the act in your journal.
How to Notarize an I-9 Form
You can't notarize an I-9 — you act as the employer's Authorized Representative. Learn the Section 2 process, deadlines, and fees for I-9 verification.
How to Notarize a Car Title
Learn how to notarize a car title step by step — seller ID checks, choosing the right notarial act, seal placement, and the mistakes DMVs reject.
How to Notarize a Copy of a Document (Certified True Copies)
Learn when you can certify a true copy: state rules (Texas allows, California is limited), which documents are off-limits, and how to complete the certificate.
How to Notarize for a Signature by Mark (X)
Learn how to notarize a signature by mark: witness requirements, who writes the signer's name, journal notation, and the mistakes that void the signing.
How to Notarize for a Minor
Learn how to notarize for a minor: credible-witness ID rules, capacity screening, when a parent should be present, and when to refuse the notarization.