Having documents notarized can be a confusing event for someone who is not familiar with the notarization process. I have listed some general questions and answers to the most frequent questions.
Please reach us at info@vfpnotaryservices.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A Notary Public is an official appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness during the signing of important documents. Their role is to verify the identity of signers, ensure all parties are signing willingly, and help prevent fraud. Notaries also confirm that documents are properly executed according to state laws.
A Loan Signing Agent is a Notary Public trained to handle and oversee the signing of loan documents for real estate transactions such as home purchases, refinances, or equity loans. They ensure all documents are signed, dated, and notarized correctly, then promptly returned to the title or escrow company to keep the loan process on track. I am certified to complete loan signings, providing professional and accurate service for every appointment.
For your appointment, all parties involved in the signing must be present. You’ll need to bring a valid, government issued photo ID. Make sure the ID is current and not expired. You should also bring all documents that need to be notarized, ensuring they are completely filled out before the appointment (incomplete documents can NOT be notarized). However, do not sign the documents beforehand, all signatures must be completed in front of the notary during your appointment.
Acceptable forms of identification include a current, government issued photo ID that contains your photo, signature, and physical description. Common examples include:
All IDs must be valid and not expired at the time of the notarization.
If you don’t have a valid form of ID, a credible witness may be used in certain situations, as allowed by Texas law. A credible witness is someone who personally knows you and can verify your identity to the notary. This witness must present their own valid photo ID, swear under oath to your identity, and cannot have a financial interest in the document being signed.
If you’re unsure whether a credible witness can be used for your situation, it’s best to contact the notary in advance to confirm.
If witnesses are required for any services rendered, witnesses must be provided by the signer and must not be a beneficiary of the transaction. Witnesses must be over 18 and preferably no relation to the signer. If the signer is unable to provide a witness, one can be provided by the Notary Public for a $25 fee.
I accept all major debit and credit cards, cash, checks, Cash App, and Zelle. Payment is collected at the time of service, unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
No, notarizing a document does not make it legal, true, or valid on its own. A notary’s role is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure they are signing willingly and understand what they are signing. The notary does not verify the truth, accuracy, or legality of the document’s contents.
Please note: VFP Notary Services is not an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.
If your document is missing a notarial certificate form (such as an acknowledgment or jurat), the notary cannot choose or complete it for you, as that would be considered giving legal advice. You will need to decide which notarial act is required or ask the document issuer, title company, or an attorney for clarification. Once the correct notarial certificate is determined, the notary can then complete and attach the appropriate form to your document.
An Acknowledgment is the most common type of notarization. It means the properly identified signer personally appeared before the notary on the date and in the county listed, and either signed the document in the notary’s presence or confirmed that they had already signed it. By giving an acknowledgment, the signer is confirming that they signed the document willingly, without coercion, and that they understand its contents.
A Jurat is a type of notarization used when a signer must swear or affirm that the contents of a document are true. The signer is required to sign the document in the notary’s presence, and the notary then administers an oath or affirmation.
According to the Texas Notary Laws, a notary has the right to refuse to notarize a document if:
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.