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  • How can I prepare for a notary appointment?
    1. Have an Unexpired, Government issued, Photo ID available. State Issued Drivers or ID, Military ID or U.S. Passport. (a copy or photograph of ID is not permitted) 2. All individuals on documents to be notarized are to be present at signing. 3. Document(s) to be notarized are prepared, printed & assembled with no blanks. Name on document is required to match the name on ID. Signature(s), Date & Notarial Certificate area left blank 4. Signer is awake & aware, is not mentally impaired, understands document to be signed. 5. Credible witnesses (if needed) They will be required to present unexpired, government issued, photo ID, & give their ID information to the notary to record & sign the journal.
  • What Identification do you accept?
    Government issued identification: It must include the following information: The signers photograph, signature, identifying number, expiration date & a physical description that includes: height, weight, color of hair and color of eyes. (A photograph or copy of an ID is not permitted.) ONE of the following is required. An unexpired Driver’s License or State Issued Identification card issued by a State or Territory of the United States. An unexpired United States Passport issued by the United States Department of State. An unexpired United States Military Identification Card that is issued by any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Inmate identification card issued by the Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, if the signer is in custody. Any other unexpired identification card that is issued by the United States Government or a State or Tribal Government that contains the individuals photograph, signature, a physical description & Identifying number.
  • What if a person's ID is expired?
    If you do not have acceptable, unexpired identification, you may be identified by either one or two credible identifying witnesses who must produce acceptable, government issued ID> The witness(es) may not have an interest in document to be signed, related to by blood or marriage, or be named in the document. Two credible identifying witnesses are required if neither of them are personally known by the Notary. The witnesses must personally know you and take an oath attesting to your identity, have valid, unexpired, government issued, photo ID, have their ID verified & will be required to sign & submit their thumbprint in the notaries' journal.
  • What is a notary public's duty?
    A Notary’s duty is to confirm and verify the true identity of a person signing an important document, as well as their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations require the Notary to have the signer take an oath, and swear under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct. Impartiality is the foundation of the duties of a Notary Public. Notaries are duty-bound not to act in situations in which they have a personal interest. The public trusts that the Notary has properly screened the signer, and that the Notary has not been corrupted by self-interest.
  • Can the notary come the same day?
    In most instances, our notaries can provide same day services. Please call to schedule : 419-792-5525
  • Do you travel to hospitals?
    Yes! We travel to hospitals, care facilities, rehab, nursing home, hospice, etc. There are items that will need to be reviewed before a successful notarization. Click here for a free hospital readiness checklist. If you are in an emergency situation: IE: Hospital/facility, check with your hospital or facilities social worker, they might be able to direct you to the documents you need.
  • Person is hospitalized, is there anything I need to know before notarization?
    Yes. There are several items that will need to be reviewed before a successful notarization can take place. Click Here for a free, printable notarization readiness checklist. If you are in an emergency situation: IE: Hospital/facility, check with your hospital or facilities social worker, they might be able to direct you to the documents you need.
  • Do you offer urgent/emergency services?
    Yes, in most instances we have daily availability for emergency/urgent notary services. (2 hours or less notice). Please call to schedule an appointment. 419-792-5525
  • How much will it cost?
    It depends on type of document, how many signers, witnesses, how many notary stamps, etc. We are more than happy to provide you with a free quote.
  • Where can I get documents?
    We are unable to provide documents as notaries, as it is an unlawful practice of law. However, we have secured an online partnership, via affiliate link with a very reputable & prominent company for all of your legal document needs. Click Here to be connected. Affiliate link- no charge from us, we receive a small commission if you purchase their product through our link.
  • What are your hours?
    Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment. After hours, urgent/emergency, weekend, & holiday appointments are available by appointment, based on availability. (Additional service fees apply)
  • What kind of payments do you accept?
    We accept credit/debit cards: (Master Card, Visa, American Express & Discover) & PayPal, Diners Club, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Affirm, AfterPay & Klarma - through our website. Our notaries do not carry cash or change. No checks or billing for services.
  • How long does a notarization take?
    Standard notarization takes about 10-15 minutes. Motor Vehicle Title - 1 Signature. Larger document packages IE: Trust, Will, Estate Documents 30-45 minutes. Hospital - Health Care Directives and/or Estate Documents 30-40 minutes Care Facilities - Estate Documents and/or Health Care Directives 30 - 45 minutes. Mortgage/Loan signings can be 60-90 minuets or more.
  • Does notarization mean that a document is true, accurate or legal?
    No. Notaries are not responsible for the truth, accuracy, completeness or legality of documents they notarize.
  • May a Notary Public prepare, provide a document or give advice?
    No. This is for the safety of the consumer. A Notary Public is not an attorney, they are not permitted by law to assist a signer to draft, prepare or fill-in documents.
  • Can a Notary Public decline to provide service?
    Yes. The following are some circumstances, per Ohio & Michigan Laws, under which a Notary has the right to refuse to notarize: The signer does not appear before the notary public. If the document signer(s) is unable to produce acceptable, unexpired, government issued, photo identification. If the document signer is unable to produce credible identifying witnesses with acceptable, unexpired government issued, photo ID. If the document is incomplete or contains blank spaces. If the document does not provide notarial wording or correct notarial certificate and the signer is unable provide instructions as such. If the Notary is uncertain of a signer’s willingness, mental awareness or has cause to suspect fraud. The signer is unwilling to swear or affirm to the contents of the document when requesting a jurat certificate. The notary public does not have his or her notary seal available at the time an act is requested. The signer requests the notary to certify a copy of a vital record. The notary is unavailable for reasons such as the act needs to be performed on a holiday, the notary is ill, or the notary is requested to travel to another location to perform the act.
  • How can I book/schedule an appointment?
    Call Text or email to schedule your notary appointment. Rush/Emergency (less than 2 hours) appointments are often available, please call for these services. If you get voicemail, please leave a detailed message, name, phone number, reason for calling and we will return your call as soon as we can. We may be with another client performing a notarization or traveling. Thank you for considering Sharp Seal Notary LLC.
  • What if the document shows my name in different than the way it appears on my ID?
    If you have had a recent name change due to marriage, divorce, adoption or other circumstances, we strongly recommend updating your ID prior to requesting notarization, unless the name on the document matches the name on your ID. Very important: In the event you are closing on a loan, please note that most lenders will require the first and last name to be an exact match to your ID PRIOR to funding the loan.
  • My document is missing an area for the notary, what do I do?
    1. Contact the entity or legal advisor requesting document to find out which notarial certificate is required. 2. The signer can choose which certificate, however, if the wrong notary certificate is chosen for the document being notarized, it may render the document invalid. Acknowledgements An acknowledgement is used to verify the identity of the signer and to confirm that they signed the document. They are not swearing to the truthfulness or validity of the document, they are simply acknowledging that they signed the document. Jurats A jurat is used when the signer is swearing to the content of the document. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation to the signer in order to complete the jurat. A jurat also requires that the signer signs in the presence of the notary. It is possible to glean this information from the jurat certificate its self. The wording states “Subscribed and sworn to before me…” – subscribed meaning “signed” and sworn meaning that an oral oath or affirmation was given. “Before me” means that both were done in the presence of the notary public. While it is important for a notary to understand the difference between the two, Michigan & Ohio notaries public are not allowed to determine which type of certificate a signer uses. To do so would be considered practicing law without a license. A Notary can only ask the signer which form they prefer; if they don't know, the notary will refer them to the originator of the document for an answer. It is the responsibility of the person(s) requesting the notarization to choose which notarial certificate is needed.
  • What is a Loan Signing Agent?
    A Loan Signing Agent is a Notary with specialized training in handling and notarizing loan documents. A Notary Signing Agent is hired as an independent contractor to guarantee that the borrower signs, notarize, and returns real estate loan paperwork on time.
  • Notary Definitions & Meanings
    Some commonly used Notary terms and abbreviations: Acknowledgment: Act in which a Notary certifies having positively identified a document signer who personally appeared before the Notary and admitted having signed the document. Administer: To give formally, as in "giving" an oath or affirmation. Administrative Penalty: Punishment imposed by authorities who regulate Notaries, in the form of revocation, suspension or denial of a commission and, in some states, fines or mandatory education. Affiant: Signer of an affidavit. Affidavit: Written statement signed before a Notary by a person who swears or affirms to the Notary that the statement is true. Affirmation: Spoken, solemn promise on one's personal honor, with no reference to a Supreme Being, that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right. Apostille: Authenticating certificate required by Hague Convention that replaces a traditional chain of certificates. Attorney in Fact: Person who has authority to sign for another. Authentication: Process of proving the genuineness of the signature and seal of a Notary or other official, usually through attachment of a certificate of authority. Awareness: Being able to understand what is happening and to act responsibly. Bond: A Notary bond is a written guarantee that money up to a limit will be paid by a surety to a person financially damaged by a Notary's misconduct in the event the Notary fails to do so. Capacity: Specific role of a representative signer — attorney in fact, trustee, corporate officer, partner or other — when signing for another person, organization or legal entity. Certificate: Wording completed, signed and sealed by a Notary that states the particulars of a notarization and appears at the end of a signed document or on a paper attached to it. Sometimes referred to as the "Statement of Particulars" or the "Notary block." Certificate Form: Notarial certificate wording on a separate sheet of paper that is attached to a document. Used when no wording is provided, when the provided certificate wording does not comply with state requirements, when there is no room for the seal on the document or when a preprinted certificate has already been used by another Notary. Certificate of Authority: Paper stating that the signature and seal on an attached document belong to a legitimate Notary or other official. Also called a "Certificate of Capacity." Certificate of Prothonotary: Certificate of authority issued by a prothonotary — the equivalent of a county clerk in some states. Certified Copy: Document certified by an official, such as a Notary, to be an accurate reproduction of an original. Chain Certification: Traditional authentication procedure that requires sequential attachment of certificates of authority, each validating the genuineness of the preceding one. Chain of Personal Knowledge: Knowledge of identity linking the Notary with the signer through a credible identifying witness to establish the signer's identity. The Notary personally knows and can identify the credible witness, and the credible witness personally knows and can identify the document signer. Civil Penalty: Payment of funds by a Notary resulting from a lawsuit to recover financial losses that were claimed to have been caused by the Notary's misconduct. Combined Acknowledgment Certificate: Acknowledgment certificate wording indicating a person signed in two or more representative capacities. Commission: To authorize to perform notarial acts; written authorization to perform Notary acts that is issued by a state's governor, secretary of state or other empowering official. Called an appointment in some states and jurisdictions. Copy Certification: Act in which a Notary certifies that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. County Clerk: Official whose duties may include keeping a file of the bonds and signed oaths of office of Notaries, issuing certificates of authority for those Notaries and accepting custody of journals surrendered by those Notaries upon retirement. In some states called a "prothonotary." County Recorder: Official who registers deeds and certain other documents in the public record. In some states called a County Auditor. Credible Identifying Witness: Believable person who identifies a document signer to the Notary after taking an oath or affirmation. The credible identifying witness must personally know the document signer and also be personally known by the Notary. Custodian or Document Custodian: Keeper of a document. Deed: Document transferring ownership of property and requiring notarization. Deposition: Written statement used in a lawsuit that is transcribed from words spoken by a person (deponent) under oath or affirmation and that is usually signed by this person. Disqualifying Interest: Advantage or potential advantage resulting in ineligibility to perform a Notary act. Embosser Seal: Press-like device that imprints a raised image into a paper surface to form a Notary seal. Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: Contract between a Notary and an indemnity company whereby, in the event of a lawsuit against the Notary resulting from certain acts in performing a notarization, the company absorbs the Notary's costs and financial liabilities up to an agreed limit. False Certificate: Notary wording that contains incorrect information. Guardian: Person with the lawful power and duty to manage the affairs of another individual; conservator. Hague Convention: Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, a treaty signed by more than 90 nations, including the United States, that simplifies authentication of notarized documents sent between nations. Identification Document (ID Card): Document or card which establishes the bearer's identity. Examples include passports, driver's licenses and nondriver's IDs, among others. Immigration Forms Specialist (IFS): Person who helps applicants for U.S. residency and citizenship complete immigration forms. An IFS may also help with translation and obtaining supporting documents, such as birth certificates. They may not offer legal advice or other services that an attorney would provide, such as representing a client in an immigration proceeding. Impartiality: State of being unbiased; specifically, having no motive but to perform notarial duties legally and ethically. Impartial Witness: Observer without bias; one who has no financial or beneficial interest in the transaction at hand. Inking Seal: Device that imprints ink on paper to form a photocopiable Notary seal. Journal Entry: Information recorded in a journal describing a particular notarization. Journal of Notary Acts: A Notary journal is a detailed, chronological record of the Notary Public's official acts. Jurat: Act in which a Notary certifies having watched the signing of a document and administered an oath or affirmation. Jurisdiction: Geographic area — a state or county — in which a Notary Public is authorized to perform acts. Living Will: Written statement of a person's wishes concerning medical treatment in the event the signer has an illness or injury and is unable to give instructions on his or her own behalf. Long-Form Certificate: Standard or unabridged Notary certificate wording. L.S.: Abbreviation of the Latin term locus sigilli, meaning "place of the seal." Traditional element indicating where the seal imprint is to be placed. Marriage: Act of uniting two people as spouses. Performed by Notaries only in Maine, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada. Ministerial Official: Public officer who follows written rules without having to use significant judgment or discretion. A Notary is a ministerial official. Nondriver's ID: Identification document similar to a driver's license issued by most states upon request to nondrivers, such as juveniles and the elderly. Notary Acts, Notarizations: Witnessing duties of a Notary that are specified by law. Most often, the Notary's duties involve signed documents and require the Notary to ensure a signer's identity and/or to administer an oath or affirmation. Notary Misconduct: Notary's violation of a law, regulation, official directive or expected standard of honesty, care or good judgment, usually in executing a notarization. Notary Public: Person of proven integrity appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness with duties specified by law. The Notary has the power to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths. Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility: Code of conduct for Notaries, developed by the National Notary Association. Oath: Spoken, solemn promise to a Supreme Being that is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or other Notary act, or as a Notary act in its own right. Oath of Office: Oath promising to faithfully discharge the duties of a particular office. Personal Appearance: Appearing in person, face to face, in the same room with the Notary at the time of the notarization — not before and not after. Personal Knowledge: Familiarity with an individual resulting from random interactions over a period of time sufficient to eliminate every reasonable doubt that the individual has the identity claimed. Power of Attorney: Document granting authority for a person to act as attorney in fact for another. Principal: Person who is a signer of and party to a document. Proof of Execution by Subscribing Witness: Act where a person (called the subscribing witness) states under oath or affirmation before a Notary that he or she either watched another individual (called the principal) sign a document or took that person's acknowledgment of an already signed document. The witness must affix a signature to the document in addition to the principal's. Protest: Act in which a Notary certifies that a signer did not receive payment for a negotiable instrument. Prove: Authenticate the signature of a principal signer not appearing before a Notary. Publicly Recorded: Placed in the public record or filed with a county recorder as authentic. Quality of Officer: Term sometimes appearing on Notary certificates and meaning "title of official," such as "Notary Public." Reasonable Care: Degree of concern and attentiveness that a person of normal intelligence and responsibility would exhibit. Representative Capacity: Status of signing or acting on behalf of another person or on behalf of a legal entity, such as a corporation, partnership or trust. Representative Signer: Person with the legal authority to sign for another individual, organization or legal entity. Representative signing capacities include attorney in fact, trustee, corporate officer and partner. Satisfactory Evidence: Reliable identification document, or the sworn or affirmed statement of a credible identifying witness, that satisfactorily proves that an individual has the identity claimed. Seal of Notary: A Notary seal is an inking or embossing device that imprints the Notary's name, title (Notary Public) and jurisdiction on a notarized document. Also may include such information as the county where the commission and bond are on file, commission number and date of commission expiration. Short-Form Certificate: Notary certificate with abridged or condensed wording. Signature by Mark: An "X" or other symbol made in place of a signature by a person unable to write and witnessed by a Notary and two other persons. Signature by Proxy: Signature made on behalf of a principal by a Notary or third party who is not an attorney in fact. Notary signatures by proxy are allowed only in a few states. Signature of Notary: Handwritten name of and by the Notary, matching exactly with the name on the Notary's commissioning paper. Signing Agent: A Notary who specializes in loan document assignments, performing courier duties for loan packages as well as notarizing the borrower's signature on loan documents. Sometimes referred to as a "Notary Signing Agent" or "NSA." SS. or SCT.: Abbreviations of the Latin word scilicet, meaning "in particular" or "namely." Traditional element appearing after or to the right of the venue in a Notary certificate. Statutory Fee: Charge prescribed by law for services. Subscribe: Sign. Subscribing Witness: Person who either watches another (the principal) sign a document or takes that person's acknowledgment of an already-signed document and appears before the Notary on behalf of the principal. The subscribing witness must sign the document in addition to the principal, must be personally known by the Notary and must take an oath or affirmation stating that he or she witnessed the principal sign or took the principal's acknowledgment. Substantially Complies: In agreement, but not necessarily verbatim. Supplemental ID: Identification document that, alone, does not provide positive identification of a signer due to its lack of a photograph, the ease with which it may be counterfeited and the low level of security in its issuance. Surety: Person or company obliged to pay money up to a limit in the event a bonded individual fails to do so; guarantor. Swear: To make an oath; to state under oath. To make a solemn promise to a Supreme Being. Testimonium Clause: Wording in a Notary certificate whereby the Notary formally attests to the facts. Typically phrased as, "Witness my hand and official seal." Unauthorized Practice of Law: Practice of law by a person who is not a legal professional. Illegal act of a non-attorney in helping another person to draft, prepare, complete, select or understand a document or transaction. Venue: Wording in a Notary certificate that indicates the state and county where the notarization takes place. Verification: Sworn or affirmed declaration that a statement or pleading is true. Vital Record: Birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate or other public record of demographic data. Will: Legal document containing a person's wishes about disposition of personal property after death; short for "last will and testament." Willingness: Acting freely without duress or undue influence. Witness: One who has personally seen something; to observe.

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

      419-792-5525

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Disclaimer & LEGAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE: Sharp Seal Notary LLC,  is not a law firm nor are we attorneys.  By law, we do not explain, interpret or provide instructions on how to complete your Document, provide or prepare documents,  nor advise what type of Notarial Certificate may be necessary.  To do so would engage us in the illegal practice of law.  No legal advice is suggested or provided.  No payment is accepted or billed for any legal services. All questions regarding your documents should be addressed to an attorney of your choosing. The role of a notary public is to reasonably verify the signer's ID, assess ability & willingness to sign & act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents & legal forms. 

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