Common Notary Mistakes 🖋️ And How to Avoid Them
Follow your state’s Notarial guidelines.
Notary work looks simple from the outside- stamp, sign, done. But in practice, accuracy and procedure matter. Small mistakes can create delays or require documents to be redone.
The good news is that most notary errors are preventable with awareness and preparation.
Here are some of the most common notary mistakes, and how to avoid them.
🪪 Not Checking Identification Carefully
Rushing ID review is one of the biggest risks.
Always confirm:
photo matches the signer
name matches the document (as required by your state)
ID is acceptable and not expired (per rules)
When in doubt, pause. Notaries are allowed to take time to verify.
📄 Not Completing the Notarial Certificate Fully
Incomplete certificates cause rejections.
Double-check:
date
venue/state line
signer name
your signature
your stamp/seal placement
Never leave certificate fields blank.
✍️ Letting Signers Pre-Sign When They Shouldn’t
If the notarization requires the signature to occur in your presence, the signer must sign in front of you.
If it’s already signed when they arrive, follow your state rules, which may require re-execution.
🧭 Not Knowing the Notarial Act Type
Notaries should know whether they are performing:
an acknowledgment
a jurat
an oath/affirmation
another authorized act
If the document doesn’t specify, you may describe the difference, but not choose for the client (no legal advice).
🗂️ Poor Recordkeeping
When journals are required, or even when optional consistent entries protect you.
Good records support:
professionalism
dispute protection
audit readiness
✨
Strong notary work is careful work. Slowing down, following procedure, and double-checking details protects both the signer and the notary.
Professionalism in notary services is built one accurate act at a time.
FC Signings & Co. provides professional notary services with care, clarity, and procedural accuracy.
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