Can a Notary Notarize a Letter? 📃
Be prepared for your appointment,
People sometimes need letters for official purposes.
A letter might concern permission, residency, employment, travel, business matters, or another personal situation.
And sometimes the recipient asks for the letter to be notarized.
So, can you bring a letter to a notary?
Potentially, but it's important to understand what is actually being notarized.
A Notary Doesn't "Approve" the Letter
People sometimes use the phrase "notarize my document" as though the notary places a stamp on the page confirming that everything written in it is true.
That's not what notarization means.
The notary performs a specific notarial act involving the signer.
The notary generally isn't verifying every statement contained in the letter simply because a notarization is performed.
Find Out What the Recipient Requires
Before your appointment, ask the person or organization requesting the letter exactly what it needs.
Does the recipient require a particular notarial act?
Did it provide a form or certificate?
Are there specific signing instructions?
Getting those answers beforehand can prevent delays.
Don't Ask the Notary to Draft the Letter
Unless the notary is separately qualified and authorized to provide the applicable service, a non-attorney notary should not provide legal advice or draft legal language for a customer.
Prepare the letter before the appointment or obtain appropriate assistance from the organization requesting it or a qualified professional.
Bring Appropriate Identification
As with other notarizations, be prepared to establish your identity according to applicable requirements.
And if the particular notarial act requires signing in the notary's presence, wait to sign until instructed.
A personal letter doesn't automatically become "official" simply because a notary applies a seal.
The purpose of the notarization is the authorized notarial act involving the signer.
Understanding what the receiving organization actually requires is the best place to start
