Every signer must show valid (not expired) photo identification. All identification must contain a photo, a physical description, a signature and a serial number.

Checking and verifying the signer’s identify is critical step in performing a notarial service. Some people may view it as a nuisance, but it’s performed to safeguard against fraud. So the next time you need a document notarized, remember to bring one of the accepted forms of identification mentioned above.

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Identification Documents (ID Cards)

Acceptable Identification Documents. Texas requires an  identifying document or card relied on by a Notary to identify a stranger. It must be current and issued by a federal or state governmental agency and must contain a photograph and signature of the bearer (TCPRC, Sec. 121.005).

Among the IDs authorized for use by Texas Notaries are:

• State driver’s and official nondriver’s IDs
• U.S. passports
• U.S. military
• IDs and resident alien IDs or “green cards” issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Id’s should have the following: photograph, a physical description a physical description (e.g.,  “brown hair, green eyes”), and a signature of the bearer. Most  government-issued IDs contain all three components.

Identification Documents for Real Estate Transactions.  Effective  September 1, 2011, in addition to the acceptable forms of written  identification listed above, for the purposes of a deed or other instrument relating to a residential real estate transaction, a person’s identity may be proved by a current passport issued by a foreign country (TCPRC Sec. 121.0005 [a][3]).

In addition to conveyance deeds, documents for which a foreign passport may be accepted may include deeds of trust, various affidavits supporting refinance or purchase transactions and powers of attorney for the purpose of conveying real property or executing documents related to real estate loan transactions.

Unacceptable Identification Documents

• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Credit cards

Multiple Identification. While one identification document is sufficient to identify a signer, the Notary may ask for more.

Fraudulent Identification. Identification documents are the least secure of the three methods of  identification, because phony ID cards are common. The Notary will scrutinize each card for evidence of counterfeiting, or for evidence that it is a genuine card issued to an impostor.

Some clues that an ID card may have been tampered with include: mismatched type styles, a photograph raised from the  surface, a signature that does not match the signature on the document, and smudges, erasures, smears, or discolorations. Missing holograms or slightly split edge of the DL / ID are also what I have personally noticed in Texas.

Possible tip-offs to a counterfeit ID card include: misspelled words, a brand new-looking card with an old date of issuance or  two cards with exactly the same photograph.

Some possible indications that a card may have been issued to an impostor include: the card’s birth date or address are unknown to the bearer, all the ID cards seem brand new.

Credible Witness:

In the absence of adequate identification or ‘personally known’, a document signer’s identity may be established by a credible witness. The credible witness must be personally known to the Notary and must personally know the document signer. There should be a chain of personal knowledge from the Notary to the credible witness to the signer. A credible witness may also be relied on to verify a signer’s authority to represent a corporation, partnership, or other entity.

The Notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the credible witness to compel truthfulness: “Do you solemnly swear/affirm that you personally know this document signer to be the individual he/she claims to be?”  The Notary should list the credible witness in the Notary’s official journal (in this order): the legal name and residence street address of the witness. The credible witness is a competent individual who is uninvolved and disinterested in the transaction.   Thus they provide the above acceptable forms of ID and sign the notary’s journal along with you “the signer.”

Before you call!!

We are unable to provide these services if:

The person requiring notarization does not have proper and valid ID and cannot provide witnesses with proper and valid ID to confirm the signer’s identity.

The person requiring notarization is not present to sign.

The person is not mentally competent to sign.

If we are called to a location and the signer is unable to sign, the document is not complete, or other questionable circumstances prevail, you will still be liable for the travel/time fee as agreed when booking the appointment.

Documents: You supply your documents, statements, forms, letters, affidavits, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Health Care Directives, etc. Fill in all blanks but do not sign or date. The notarial portion will be completed and provided if necessary at the time of notarization. A Notary Public is unable to draft, change, or provide legal advice concerning your document. If you have questions, please work with the company or agency who drafted your document or who will be receiving them once they are completed.

Willingness & Knowledge: Every signer must demonstrate a willingness to sign the documents without coercion. He/she must also be aware of what they are signing and understand the significance of the transaction. Documents cannot be notarized if there is any cognitive impairment.

Ability to Communicate: All signers must be able to communicate in English. If a signer does not speak English, please call to discuss. The documents can be in any language. However, the notarial portion must be in English and will be provided as needed.

Thank you for choosing Phoenix Signing Service.

The post What You Will Need for General Notarizations? appeared first on Phoenix Signing Service.

Picture this. You work from home – then one day, a deal comes through. It is the breaththrough you have been waiting for. There is a problem though. You need to have a few documents notarized. This should happen in a few hours or else the deal will be gone.

You try to think of a few friends and neighbors who can refer you to the nearest notaries but they have no idea where they can refer you. Then it hits you – there are mobile notaries! So you find one online who saves the day. He arrives on time, helps you verify and notarize the documents and just like that, your bank account swells. All because of a traveling notary – so you become curious about traveling notaries. Here are five important things you need to know about them and the services they offer.

1. A Mobile Notary Provides Comprehensive Services

Our notaries are commissioned through the Texas Secretary of State.  They are able to work with attorneys of all types, real estate agents, lenders, banks, Hospitals, Health Care Organizations, debt consolidation companies, and even structured settlement organizations. We can help you with the documents you need to have notarized including:

• Powers of Attorney
• Wills
• Handicap Parking Applications
• Debt consolidation documents
• Affidavits

2. Using a Mobile Notary Can Save Your Business Money

You pay for notary services only when you need them.
You don’t have to hire employees to do the work.
You don’t have to pay for training or commission costs.
You don’t pay wages or benefits or travel rates.
You don’t have to pay workers compensation for outsourced services.

3. We Are Available

Mobile services are available for last minute needs.
You can schedule at a time that works for your clients.
The utilization of a mobile notary service can significantly improve business and customer relations, improve bottom lines, and enhance a company’s ability to conduct business in a digital, always on world. Ideally suited for most industry needs, notaries at Notary in Your Neighborhood are readily available to meet the specific goals of the client, resulting in swift and competent completion of documents in the most cost-effective manner.

Are you in need of notary traveling services in the Houston Metro Area? Phoenix Signing Service provides prompt, professional and efficient notary services in your County.

Call Phoenix Signing Service at 832-275-8790.

The post 3 Things You Should Know About Traveling Notary Services appeared first on Phoenix Signing Service.

The apostille or authentication process has two components that must be met in order for your paperwork to work successfully, and both parts are out of our control. Following the apostille tips below, you will improve your chances. First, the Secretary of State must approve the notarization of your document. This means that the notary work must pass their standards.

Second, your foreign entity must accept and approve what is generated by the Secretary of State in the apostille process. Sometimes, what we need to do to get an apostille or authentication completed by the Secretary of State does not mesh with the expectations of your foreign agency.

Make sure the document you want to authenticate is correct before we begin the process with the Apostille Tips below.

Tip #1

Make sure your notary verbiage is correct
Is the notary portion of your document correct to today’s Texas standards? If I am notarizing your document, this won’t be a problem, however, if another notary isn’t current and their paperwork isn’t up-to-date, your document will be rejected by the Secretary of State.

Tip #2

Get approval for a “loose notary certificate” first.
If your document does not have the correct Texas notary verbiage, I will attach a loose certificate to your document in order to get your apostille or authentication completed by the Secretary of State. However, some foreign agencies do not allow a loose certificate. ASK first!

Tip #3

Make sure your foreign agency doesn’t require “Rolling Stamps.”
Some foreign agencies want a notary stamp across all page edges of a multi-page document. Phoenix Signing Service Notaries are prohibited from using their stamp in this manner and your paperwork will be rejected by the Secretary of State. Make sure your agency understands that this is not possible.

Tip #4

Formatting your document!
Is there -or should there be- a place for today’s date? Is there a line for all the signers? Are the names correctly spelled? Foreign countries often make mistakes with names. Strike-outs and corrections might not be allowed by your foreign entity.

Check with your receiving entity to confirm that what we send is what they can use.

Thank you for choosing Phoenix Signing Service.

The post Tips & Advices: Phoenix Signing Service Apostille Tips appeared first on Phoenix Signing Service.