How to get ready for your mobile notary appointment

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1. Fill in blank spaces
   Completely fill in all blank spaces in documents before Notary arrives but DO NOT SIGN! 
2. Document questions
   If you have questions about how to complete the document, contact the person who drafted or requested the document. A Notary Public is unable to provide legal advice or assistance in the drafting and/or completion of documents.
3. Every signer must physically appear & have ID
   Every signer must physically appear, speak and understand English, be coherent, not exhibit signs of being coerced to sign, and present acceptable ID at the time of notarization.
4. Original documents must be presented
   Original documents must be presented for all Copy Certifications. Vital records (birth, death and marriage) cannot be notarized.
5. Know which Notary Certificate you need
   Know which Notary Certificate you need. A Notary Public cannot give advice on which one to use.

A jurat is used when the signer is swearing to the content of the document.  The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer in order to complete the jurat. A jurat also requires that the signer signs in the presence of the notary. It is possible to glean this information from the jurat certificate its self.  The wording states “Subscribed and sworn to before me…” – subscribed meaning “signed” and sworn meaning that an oral oath or affirmation was given.  “Before me” means that both were done in the presence of the notary public.

An acknowledgement is used to verify the identity of the signer and to confirm that they signed the document.  They are not swearing to the truthfulness or validity of the document, they are simply acknowledging that they signed the document.

All identification cards must be ORIGINAL, current, contain a photo, physical description, signature and serial number.

Identification procedures are mandated by the Texas Secretary of State.
The following forms of identification are acceptable.

Originals must be presented at the time of signing:

• Texas Driver License
• Other States Driver’s License
• US Military ID Card
• Texas ID Card
• US Passport
• Foreign Passports Stamped by US Customs
• Inmate ID Card

The name you will be signing on the document must match or be “Shorter than” the name on your ID. An ID in your maiden name along with a marriage license evidencing your married name is not acceptable.