NOTARY SERVICES

We offer all forms of notarial services and can provide witnesses to document signing. We are accredited by the National Notary Association and are licensed in Washington State. Please contact us for an appointment for all your notary needs.

What are Notaries?

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government - typically by the secretary of state or the office of the insurance commissioner to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.

Notaries are commissioned by the state to be present during the signing of important documents and to validate that you aren’t being pressured to sign on the dotted line. Their presence protects you, the signer - as they’re entrusted to confirm your identity before signing any official documents.

They are bound by laws that hold them accountable for properly identifying signers, taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and maintaining records in the performance of their notarial acts. These official acts are called notarizations, or notarial acts.

Notaries are publicly commissioned as “ministerial” officials, meaning that they are expected to follow written rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion, as would otherwise be the case with a “judicial” official. Protecting integrity and the public trust are fundamental to the Notary.

What Does a Notary Do?

A Notary's duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct.

Property deeds, wills and powers of attorney are examples of documents that commonly require a Notary. Impartiality is the foundation of the Notary's public trust. They are duty-bound not to act in situations where they have a personal interest.

The public trusts that the Notary’s screening tasks have not been corrupted by self-interest. And impartiality dictates that a Notary never refuse to serve a person due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation or status as a non-customer.

As official representatives of the state, Notaries certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those diverse transactions convey real estate, grant powers of attorney, establish a prenuptial agreement, or perform the multitude of other activities that enable our civil society to function.

Why are Notaries and Notarizations Necessary?

Through the process of notarization, Notaries deter fraud and establish that the signer knows what document they’re signing, and that they’re a willing participant in the transaction.

How Does a Notary Identify a Signer?

Generally, a Notary will ask to see a current ID that has a photo, physical description and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a driver’s license or passport.

What a Notary is Not

Unlike Notaries in foreign countries, a U.S. Notary Public is not an attorney, judge or high-ranking official. A U.S. Notary is not the same as a Notario Publico and these differences can be confusing for immigrants when they approach Notaries in this country. Notaries in the United States should be very clear about what they can or cannot do to serve immigrants the right way and steer clear of notario issues.

Our company employs Notaries and Signing Agents, who can help you with all your notarial needs.