What if a notary makes a mistake?
Asked by: Conor Christiansen | Last update: September 22, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (5 votes)
To correct a notary mistake – make new changes in line with the original document. Typically, the signer can line through an error and mark the data of a potential change. In most instances, changes to the document can be about the statement, notary signature, official notary seal, and venue.
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.
Can you edit a document after it's been notarized?
In most states, a notary public must never change, correct, or amend a notarial certificate at a later date. Such alterations can only be made at the time of the execution of the notarization when the principal signer is present.
What happens if you do a notary wrong?
Consequence criminally : Prison (felony), Jail (misdemeanor), fines, having your notary commission revoked. Civil Consequences: Leaves an errant notary open to lawsuits, especially if the victim of the notary's malphesance cost the victim $$. It's a good way to lose just about all you have or will ever have.
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 to do if you Make a Mistake as a Signing Agent - Quick Tip Tuesday
What if I make a mistake in my notary book?
To make corrections, cross the line across the inaccurate information. Make sure the data and initials are correct. Print or update the correct information legibly. Mark the adjusted entry in your notary journal.
What is notary misconduct?
Examples of notarial misconduct include the following: 1) the notary notarized an instrument without the signer being present; 2) the notary failed to establish the identity of the signer by satisfactory evidence; 3) the notary failed to execute proper notarial procedures; and 4) the notary knew that the document ...
How to correct notary error?
If a notary public makes a mistake (it's bound to happen at some point), he or she should use a blank document in its place. Alternatively, a single-line strike can be made through the error with the notary's initials signed next to it.
What is a notary liable for?
A notary public is always liable for all actions, whether intentional or unintentional. This liability is unlimited to financial losses and damages.
What if a notary signature changes for any reason?
In the context of notarization, if a notary's signature changes for any reason, including injury or arthritis, the notary must notify the Secretary of State before using their new signature on a notarization.
Is it legal to change a document after signing?
Yes, altering a signed document is illegal and considered forgery, which is a serious crime with significant legal consequences.
Is a document legally binding if notarized?
To conclude, because notaries public notarize signatures, not the content of a document, notarization does not make a document "legal" or "official" in any way. It is important to note that a document that is illegal or false prior to notarization is still illegal or false even after being notarized.
Can I notarize the same document twice?
Yes, it is OK.
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.
How do I edit a notarized document?
Fortunately, such errors are easy to fix. The Notary simply lines through any incorrect words, neatly writes in the correct information immediately above, and then initials and dates the correction. However, a Notary may only correct information in the notarial certificate — not in the main body of the document.
What happens if a notary does not witness signature?
In fact, most state notary laws prohibit a notary from notarizing a signature if the signer is not present. Violating the personal presence requirement may result in monetary loss for the client and lead to a lawsuit against the notary or a claim against the notary's bond.
What is a notary prohibited from?
Notaries cannot authenticate or validate objects. Notaries cannot give advice or opinions that should be given by an attorney—this is unlicensed practice of law.
Is a notary a signature guarantee?
The notary public verifies the signer's identify – usually done by checking his or her driver's license of state-issued ID card – and stamps the document to finalize its execution. While a signature guarantee shares some similarities to a notary stamp, they are two unique processes, each with its own purpose.
Is my notary valid?
To check a notary, contact the issuing state's Notary Public Administrator. They'll confirm if it's legit.
How to correct an error on a legal document?
You can choose to: (i) prepare a Corrective document; (ii) prepare a Scrivener's Affidavit; (iii) prepare a Corrective Recording Affidavit; or (iv) obtain a Court Order. Obtaining a Court Order is the most successful way to correct a recorded document, however, it can be time-consuming and expensive.
What do you do when you make a mistake in your notary journal?
The simplest way to make the correction is as follows (note: for the purpose of describing these tips, we'll assume you are using the NNA's Official Journal of Notarial Acts): Line through the incorrect information. Write the correct information in the same box, if there is room to write it legibly.
What is influencing a notary to perform improperly?
(a) Any person who solicits, coerces, or in any manner influences a notary public to perform an improper notarial act knowing that act to be an improper notarial act, including any act required of a notary public under Section 8206, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Can you break a notarized agreement?
There is a huge misconceptions that if individuals go and get a document notarized everything is good, but that is not the case because the notarized document is not a court order, it is an agreement between the parties, but ultimately it cannot be enforced because it is not signed off by a judge.
How do you void a notary?
To void a notarized document, legal proceedings must be initiated, often through a petition or lawsuit. This process involves collecting evidence to support claims of fraud, coercion, or errors in the notarization.
Can notaries swear people in?
2093. (a) Every court, every judge, or clerk of any court, every justice, and every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has the power to administer oaths or affirmations.