Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Notary Services

Notarization  |    Sep 30, 2024      | By: Harbir Singh

In today’s day and age, the need for notarization is more frequent than ever. Whether it be for government forms, legal documents, personal affairs, visa invitation letters, the need for a notary can have you guessing where to start. By understanding the role a notary public has, it can help you save time and ensure your documents are handled correctly. Our comprehensive guide will cover most of the information you need to know.

What is a Notary Public?

The role of a Notary Public is to be an impartial witness to the signing of agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Notaries can also certify documents to be true copies of the original. One of the roles of a Notary is to verify the identity of signers and to ensure that the signers are signing willingly and without being under duress. Furthermore, a Notary Public possesses all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.

Why is Notarization Important?

The process of notarizing a document helps to prevent fraud and ensure the authenticity of documents. A layer of protection is added by having a notary public witness and oversee the signing process.

Choosing a Notary Public

When you are selecting a Notary Public it is extremely important to ensure you do your due diligence and choose a qualified Notary Public, here are some tips to follow:

·        Qualifications: Ensure the Notary is licensed and familiar with the regulations.

·        Experience: The Notary should be experienced in the type of document you need notarized.

·        Reviews: Read online reviews to assess the Notary’s professionalism and reliability.

·        Accessibility: Whether you need In-person, Online, or Mobile Notary services, we provide all three services.

Notarization Process

Upon arriving at your notarization appointment, it is important to be prepared, including:

1.        Identification: Bring valid government identification that shows your photo, name, and signature. Driver’s license or Passport are common to use.

2.        Review of Document: The Notary Public will review your documents ensuring it is in order, before the signing, and complete the oath or solemn affirmation process, if applicable.

3.        Signing: The document needs to be signed in the presence of the Notary. The Notary will then complete their part, by completing the signature/ seal process.

4.        Payment: The last step in the process is payment.

Contact HSB Legal

If you are looking for a reliable notary near you contact us today.

We also offer mobile, and online services for certain types of documents.