Notary Frequently Asked Questions

Proper identification of the signer is required. Acceptable identification must be issued by a federal or state government agency and contain a photograph and signature. Examples: State Driver’s License, State I.D. card, US Military I.D., current US Passport, or an Alien Registration Card.

A)I would have to personally know you, or

B) In the absence of the above mentioned identifications, 2 credible witnesses (2 people who personally know the signer who has current identifications who is not related to the signer) may be used.

Please do not sign the document prior to meeting with the A.B.E.L Notary. 

Acknowledgments

The purpose of an acknowledgment is to ensure that the signer of a document is who they claim to be and has voluntarily signed the document. Acknowledgments often are needed for documents concerning valuable assets, such as deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust. To perform an acknowledgment, the signer must personally appear before you at the time of notarization to be positively identified and to declare — or “acknowledge” — that the signature on the document is their own and that they signed willingly. While it is common practice for your client to sign the document in front of you at the time of the notarization, it is not necessary. Your client may sign the document before bringing it to you and declare — or acknowledge — to you that the signature on the document is theirs.

Jurats

The purpose of a jurat is for a signer to swear or affirm that the contents of a document are true. Depending on the jurisdiction, it also can be known as an affidavit or a verification on oath or affirmation.
For a jurat, the signer must personally appear before you and sign the document in your presence. You must then administer an oath or affirmation and have the signer speak aloud his or her promise that the statements in the document are true. The choice between an oath or affirmation should be made by the signer.
Administering the oath or affirmation is a vital part of performing a jurat or verification because the signer is affirming that the contents of the document are true, and he or she may be prosecuted for perjury if the contents are not true. an answer to this item.