Types of Notarizations

The most frequent type of notarization is the acknowledgement.  Acknowledging a document means that the properly identified signer personally appeared before the notary on the date & in the county indicated, that the signer either signs in front of the notary or acknowledges that s/he did indeed sign the document as well as acknowledging that the document was signed without coercion & that the signer is aware of the documents contents.

The second most frequent type of notarization is the jurat, often called an affidavit.  For a jurat, the signer must personally appear before the notary & either swear, or affirm, to the truthfulness of the document & it's contents, & sign the document in the presence of the notary.

 

Less common notarizations are as follows:

• Copy Certification by Document Custodian:  in states where notary certified copies are prohibited, a custodian -certified copy is occasionally used.   This procedure requires that the Document Custodian sign a declaration, & swear (or affirm)  that the copy is identical to the original.     Essentially, this procedure is an affidavit signed by the custodian & with a jurat as the notarization.

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• Powers of Attorney:  is a document that grants the legal authority for someone to sign documents on behalf of another person.    While a notary cannot supply these documents, a notary may notarize a Power of Attorney as well as certify copies of a Power of Attorney.   A copy of a Power of Attorney that has been certified by a notary has the same force & effect as the original document.

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• Consent for Minor Child to Travel:  Travel abroad with a minor child frequently requires notarized documents or letters that certify the child has the permission of non-traveling parents &/or guardians to travel.  Some of these documents require health care information.  Several forms are available on the internet but I urge you to contact your travel agent, travel carrier, US State Dept, or the embassy of the country you are visiting for they're specific requirements & forms.

 

 

Disclaimer:   I am not an attorney & can not provide legal advice, documents, or suggestions outside the Notary Public field.  Notarization fees are set by the State of California.  Document &  Identification standards & requirements are set by the State of California & US Patriot Act. 

Note: A Notarization provides verification of a document signer' willingness to sign & that the signer is the person identified by the signature. A Notarization does not prove the truthfulness of the contents of a document, nor does it validate a document &/or render it legal.