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Notary Tips & Best Practices
Practical advice to avoid common mistakes, protect yourself from liability, and run a more professional notary business.
11 min read
Notary Signature by Proxy: Can Someone Else Sign for the Notary?
If you work in a busy office, work as a signing agent, or manage a team of notaries, you've likely encountered a moment of logistical frustration: a document ne
11 min read
Notarizing for Family Members: State-by-State Rules
It is one of the most common questions notaries public hear: "Can you just sign this for me real quick?" And when that question comes from a spouse, a parent, o
10 min read
Out-of-State Notarization: Can You Notarize Across State Lines?
If you have ever worked as a mobile notary or managed a busy office, you have likely heard this question: "Can you just notarize this really quick? It's for a p
10 min read
Can a Notary Prepare Legal Documents?
If you have ever sat at your desk with a signer staring at you hopefully, asking, "Can you just help me write this up?", you have faced one of the most dangerou
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How to Handle an Expired Notary Stamp or Seal
Discovering an expired notary stamp in the middle of a signing appointment is a nightmare scenario for any commissioned notary public. You reach into your bag,
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Jail and Prison Notarizations: Rules and Procedures
Notarizing documents for inmates is one of the most complex assignments a notary public can accept. When you step into a correctional facility, you leave the pr
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Notarizing for the Blind or Visually Impaired
As a notary public, you serve as an impartial witness and a gatekeeper against fraud. But what happens when the signer standing in front of you cannot see the d
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Wet Signature vs. Electronic Signature: Notary Rules Explained
If you have been commissioned as a notary public for any length of time, you have likely encountered a signer walking in with a document they signed on their iP
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Blue Ink vs. Black Ink: What Color Should a Notary Use?
You are sitting at the signing table, pen in hand, ready to execute a flawless notarization. Suddenly, the signer looks up and asks, "Wait, should I sign in blu
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Can a Notary Refuse Service Based on Document Content?
One of the most uncomfortable situations a notary public can face is being presented with a document that makes them pause. Whether the language seems unusual,
11 min read
Does a Notary Need to Read the Document Out Loud?
If you have been a notary public for more than a few weeks, you have likely encountered this scenario: a signer slides a thick, 40-page real estate packet acros
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Understanding Notary Public Bond Requirements
If you are preparing to become a notary public or are getting ready to renew your commission, you have likely encountered the term "notary bond." For many new n
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How to Properly Store and Destroy Notary Journals
Your notary journal is arguably the most important tool in your professional arsenal. It is the definitive, contemporaneous record of every notarization you per
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Credible Witnesses: When and How to Use Them
Every notary public has been there: you're seated at the table, documents are ready, but the signer reaches into their wallet and realizes they don't have an ac
11 min read
What Happens if You Make a Mistake on a Notarization?
Every notary public has felt that sudden drop in their stomach. You finish a notarization, the signer walks away, and you realize you missed a date, used the wr
10 min read
Notary Best Practices: How to Avoid Revocation
Becoming a notary public is a meaningful professional achievement, but it also carries significant legal responsibility. You act as an official agent of the sta
10 min read
Can You Notarize a Document in a Foreign Language?
Imagine this scenario: you're commissioned as a notary public, and a signer walks in with a stack of papers entirely in Mandarin, Arabic, or Spanish. They slide
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What to Do if a Signer Doesn't Have Acceptable ID
Every notary public has been there. You have your journal open, your stamp ready, and your notary seal(/product/notary-seals) within reach. The signer hands you
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Remote Online Notarization (RON) Laws by State
If there is one topic that causes more confusion for notaries public than almost anything else, it is Remote Online Notarization (RON). As we move through 2026,
10 min read
How to Spot and Prevent Notary Fraud
The Notary's Role in Fraud Prevention
9 min read
Can a Notary Notarize Their Own Document?
If you are a commissioned notary public, you have likely been asked to notarize a wide variety of documents. But what happens when the document in question is y
10 min read
Notary Acknowledgment vs. Jurat: What's the Difference?
If you have been a notary public for more than a week, you have likely encountered a signer who slides a document across the table and simply says, "Just notari
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10 Common Notary Mistakes That Can Get You Sued
As a notary public, you hold a commissioned position of immense trust. You are an officer of the state, appointed to serve as an impartial witness to the signin
Notary Laws and Requirements: What Every Notary Must Know in 2026
Serving as a notary public is a serious legal responsibility. Every time you affix your seal and signature to a document, you are vouching for the identity of t
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Your Notary Business in 2026
Published: January 2026