Does a notary public read the document?
Asked by: Freddie Wuckert | Last update: October 12, 2025Score: 5/5 (34 votes)
No, it is not illegal; however, the Notary should not read the documents they notarize because it is unnecessary and could possibly be a violation of the signer's privacy. You may scan over the document to obtain the information you need for your journal entry of the notarization. Confronted with a tricky notarization?
Does a notary read the document?
Getting a notarized document means that a signature is legitimate—and nothing more. Notaries are not required (or expected) to read through the material, evaluate it for you, or provide legal advice.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
What are Montana notaries prohibited from doing?
(1) A notary public may not: (a) notarize the notary's own signature; (b) notarize a record in which the notary is individually named or from which the notary will directly benefit by a transaction involving the record, including as provided in subsection (2);
What is the Michigan law for notary?
(1) A notary public shall place his or her signature on every record upon which he or she performs a notarial act. The notary public shall sign his or her name exactly as his or her name appears on his or her application for commission as a notary public.
Notarizing Documents: Frequently Asked Questions!
What makes a notarized document invalid?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.
What is the most a notary can charge in Michigan?
The Michigan law on notarial acts states that a Michigan notary cannot charge more than $10 for each notarial act performed.
Are notary records public?
However, a California Notary must provide a photocopy of a journal entry to anyone making a written request that includes the name of the parties involved in the notarization, the type of document, and the month and year the notarization took place (Government Code 8206[c]).
Can a document be legal without a notary?
Many types of written contracts don't require a notary public to be valid. However, if a person's signature has been notarized, generally, courts waive the legal obligation or duty to prove contract authentication. This can save you a lot of time and money.
Can I notarize a document dated in the past?
Remember that under no circumstances are you permitted to backdate or otherwise falsify the date a signature is notarized, regardless of whether the document has a separate date on it or not.
What is the risk of being a notary?
Notaries deal with lots of different paperwork and people, so it's important to always follow the steps of notarization and record important details of each in a journal. Mistakes could result in a lawsuit, and the more intensive a signing is, the greater the chances of making a mistake.
Which of the following offenses cancels a notary application?
The examples include but are not limited to: assault, arson, auto theft, burglary, possession or sale of illegal drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, failure to pay child support or failure to comply with a court order.
Can you notarize a signature without the person present?
To notarize a document, the signers must be present at the time of notarization. While you can notarize an acknowledgment document that has been previously signed in some cases, the signer must still be present at the time of notarization to confirm the validity of their signature.
Do notaries have to be confidential?
California. If we look at California, the rules are more strict. Under Gov. Code 8206[d], notaries are not allowed to disclose the contents of their notary journals to anyone.
Should a notary keep a log?
In California, Notaries are required to keep their journals for as long as they remain Notaries.
Can a notarized letter be scanned?
Are scanned documents legal? Even though you can physically scan a notarized document, this does not necessarily mean the other party is going to accept it. If you are planning on scanning a notarized document, you should reach out to the other party ahead of time to see if he or she will accept it.
Can I refuse to notarize a document?
Here are several other potential situations when you should refuse the request: You know or suspect the transaction is false, illegal or deceptive. The act being requested is not an authorized notarial act. The signer is unable or unwilling to pay the required fee.
Does a signed paper hold up in court?
The Power of a Legally Binding Document
Any written or verbal agreement between two or more parties can be legally enforced in court.
Does a notary make a document official?
The notary acts as an impartial witness, verifying the identity of those signing and ensuring they understand what they are signing. Notarization adds a layer of trust and credibility to the document but does not automatically make it legally binding.
Do notaries read the document?
During the notarization, take a quick glance at the document to confirm there are no blank spaces. To respect the signer's privacy, you don't need to read through the document in detail, just make sure all necessary information is filled in before finishing.
How to know if a notary is legit?
You could also ask the notary to provide a reference from a previous client. Authentic examples of past work can be a good way to verify a notary is legitimate.
Do notaries scan documents?
No, it is not illegal; however, the Notary should not read the documents they notarize because it is unnecessary and could possibly be a violation of the signer's privacy. You may scan over the document to obtain the information you need for your journal entry of the notarization.
What can notaries not charge for?
Some states prohibit their notaries from charging or collecting a fee for notarizing a signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.
How much extra money can you make as a notary?
On average, notaries can make between $18 and $31 per hour, based on salary data from Indeed, Talent.com, and ZipRecruiter. But there's a lot that goes into this number. Notaries make money by charging fees for their services.