Getting a document notarized is usually a quick process. But showing up unprepared can turn a 10-minute appointment into a frustrating delay. A few minutes of preparation beforehand makes a real difference — for you and for the notary trying to help you.
Whether this is your first notary appointment or your twentieth, here's what to have ready when you arrive.
Bring a Valid, Current Government-Issued Photo ID
A notary's job is to verify that the person signing a document is who they say they are. That verification requires a valid, government-issued photo ID. Without it, the appointment cannot proceed.
Acceptable forms of identification typically include:
- Driver's license (current, not expired)
- State-issued ID card
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID
- Permanent resident card (Green Card)
Check the expiration date on your ID before your appointment. An expired license or passport is not acceptable, even if you're in the renewal process. If your name has changed since the ID was issued and your document reflects the new name, bring any supporting documentation you have — a marriage certificate, for example — just in case.
If more than one person needs to sign the document, each person must bring their own valid photo ID. There are no exceptions to this.
Bring the Complete Document
Go through your paperwork before you leave home. Make sure you have every page. Documents that are missing pages cannot be notarized, and the process will need to stop until the complete version is available.
A few other things to check:
- The document should be fully filled out before the appointment. Blank fields where information should appear can create problems — some documents are invalid if signed while incomplete.
- If your document has attachments or exhibits, bring those too.
- Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Notarization applies to original paperwork.
For loan signings specifically, your package may include dozens of pages. Take a few minutes to make sure nothing is missing or out of order. If your lender or title company sent the package, contact them if anything looks incomplete before your appointment.
Do Not Sign the Document Before You Arrive
This is one of the most common mistakes people make, and it can invalidate the entire notarization.
Many documents must be signed in the presence of the notary. That requirement exists for a reason — the notary is witnessing the signature, which is part of what makes the notarization legally valid. If you've already signed, the document may need to be reprinted.
If you're genuinely unsure whether you should sign ahead of time, leave it blank and ask when you arrive. The notary will tell you exactly what to do. When in doubt, wait.
Make Sure Everyone Who Needs to Sign Is Present
If a document requires multiple signatures, every signer needs to be at the appointment — unless your situation specifically allows for separate appointments or remote notarization. Each person needs to bring their own valid photo ID.
If one of the required signers cannot be present in person, MBP Services Corp offers Remote Online Notarization (RON), which allows signers to participate from any location through a secure video session. This can be a practical solution when coordinating schedules is difficult. Contact us before your appointment to find out whether your document qualifies.
Read Through Your Document Beforehand
A notary cannot explain the legal meaning of a document or give you legal advice about its contents. What a notary can do is verify your identity, witness your signature, and apply an official seal.
If you have questions about what a document says or what you're agreeing to, those questions should be answered before your appointment — by your attorney, your lender, your real estate agent, or whoever prepared the document. Showing up with unresolved legal questions will slow things down and may mean rescheduling.
Spending 10 minutes reading through your paperwork before you arrive puts you in a much better position to sign confidently and move forward.
Call Ahead If You Have Questions
If you're not sure whether your document is ready, whether your ID will be accepted, or what else you might need to bring, call before your appointment. A quick conversation can prevent a wasted trip.
MBP Services Corp is available to answer questions before you book. We would rather spend a few minutes on the phone making sure you're prepared than have you show up and find out something is missing.
MBP Services Corp Is Here to Help
MBP Services Corp handles notarization for a wide range of documents including wills and powers of attorney, immigration paperwork, loan signings, apostille services, and general legal document preparation. We serve clients across North Carolina in English and Spanish, and we're available 365 days a year.
If you have a document that needs notarizing and you want to make sure you're prepared, reach out before you schedule. We're here to make the process as simple as possible.
Visit virtualnotary365.com or call (704) 862-9867.
