A notarized letter refers to one that’s signed in the presence of a notary public or an official licensed state agent who can witness a signature in order to validate its authenticity.
An individual may need a certain letter or other special document notarized for different reasons, including:
- To authorize another party to act on your behalf regarding important financial or medical matters
- To grant another party the rights to your home or property
- To give a close relative or guardian sole rights over your children
- To dispute a specific bank transaction
How To Get A Letter Notarized
Getting a letter notarized involves taking it to a public notary and then signing it in front of them so they can validate your signature.
The transaction is logged, sealed or stamped, and signed by the notary. Your letter is officially notarized after it’s sealed and signed.
Where Do Public Notaries Work?
Public notaries often work in a number of settings, such as banks, courthouses, insurance companies, and law offices.
Some notaries choose to work independently and provide mobile services, which include meeting you at your office or home.
A notary will request a copy of your passport, driver’s license, or some other kind of official piece of identification with your photo on it in order to verify your identity.
Benefits Of Getting A Document Notarized
Because notarization specifies authenticity confirming that the individual actually signed the document, it makes it more secure because it was signed in front of a public notary who can confirm the identity of the person signing it.
This will greatly decrease the odds of the person challenging the fact that they ever signed the document or letter in question.
A document that confirms that a person signed papers according to their own free will on the given date and place is considered an official notarized document.
It’s not a certificate that involves any other kind of authorization. It’s simply proof that the individual truly signed the letter or document and that it’s 100 percent genuine.
Show Proof Of Your Identity
Remember, you’ll need to show proof of your identity by bearing official identification with your photo on it to the notary.
But, the notary will also determine if you have the ability to sign the letter and can refuse to sign it if they notice anything suspicious concerning your actions in general.
On the other hand, do not confuse a notary with a legal professional, who can certify any of your activities or help you draft an agreement. Therefore, a notary is not in any way liable for the contents of your document.
Very often, a notarized document is used in the case of a residency proof letter, child support, child travel, guardianship letter, and a number of other reasons as well.
Where to Get a Letter or Document Notarized
As stated, there are a plethora of different places you can go to get a letter notarized. Many people choose to use their bank or credit union they do business with. If you have an account at a certain bank, sometimes the service is free.
Even without an account at a certain financial institution, for a small fee a notary will likely notarize a document for you.
Other places to find a public notary may include the following:
- Check cashing stores
- Shipping stores
- Neighborhood convenience stores
- Office supply retailers
- Car dealers
- Law offices
- Tax preparers
- Banks or credit unions
- Courthouses
- Mobile notaries: At your request, they will come to your place of business or home
Helpful Tips on How to Write a Notarized Letter
Write your letter the same way as you would any other formal letter, making sure you use the correct heading and good grammar.
Other tips include:
- Be sure to list your correct address and any other relevant personal information if necessary.
- At the end of the letter, make sure you sign it with your signature. Note that you have to sign it in the presence of the notary in order to make it official.
- Following your signature, leave enough space for the notary to sign their name as well as the seal. It’s crucial to incorporate notarial wording on the document.
- It’s very important that the date and place where you received your notarization is included on the document.
- It’s important to ensure your letter is formal in nature and thus you should refrain from using any slang.
While there are a variety of reasons for getting a letter notarized, different circumstances will call for it. Be sure all the facts are accurate, including the place, date, and any other key details that are necessary to include.
The legal consequences of a notarized letter or document will often vary. Remember, the notarization only confirms that the individual actually signed the document of their own free will.