2. WHAT DOES A NOTARIZATION LOOK LIKE?

Tip: Remember to have government ID and documents ready at the notary office. The notary will first verify your identity, then look over the documents that need to be signed. Please make sure you don’t sign your name beforehand! The notary is there to witness your signature. Once identity is verified, the notary will ask you to sign. Afterwards, the notary seal is stamped on the document, and the notary will confirm the date, location, and presence of the signee on the paper. Don’t worry if your document doesn’t have a placeholder for this information, the notary will either attach a certificate or place an additional stamp with these fields. After the notarization is completed, you will be asked to sign in a journal that outlines your ID information, type of document signed, and the date. This is done to ensure that there is a record of the notarization taking place.