​​Step 1: Check Patient/Signer Has an Unexpired & Acceptable Form of ID: At the notary appointment, the patient/signer(s) is required to produce Unexpired, Government Issued, Photo Identification.  A Copy or photograph of ID is not permitted. 

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Step 2: A. Prepare & Assemble Documents: Please have all documents requiring notarization prepared & assembled, before notary arrival.

                 Please do not sign, date, or fill out notarial certificate portion of the document.

            B. Check that document(s) matches the patient/signer ID:

            C. Check their Requirements for signing: Some documents require additional witnesses.

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Step 3: Determine Mental Ability to Sign: For a successful notary appointment, the patient/signer will need to be awake, alert & aware of documents that they are signing. The patient/signer cannot be under the influence of any mind altering substances such as: anesthesia, alcohol, marijuana or mind altering medications.  By law, notarization can be refused for any patient/signer that appears to be mentally unsound, incapacitated or unduly pressured.  Mind altering medications etc., must be withheld 1 hour minimum, prior to notary arrival.

 

Step 4 : Determine Physical Ability to Sign: The patient/signer will need to be able to independently sign the document. Unsteady or "messy" signatures due to the effects of a patients medical condition can be notarized. If the patient is physically unable to sign their name, due to medical condition or weakened state, they can independently sign their name with an X or just a mark. This mark may require credible witnesses. 

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​Step 5: Determine if additional Witnesses are needed:  Please read your document to determine whether or not you will need additional witness(es). It is the responsibility of the person(s) requesting notarizations to provide witness(es). Have any witnesses present and ready to produce valid ID before the notary arrives. The notary is unable to act as one of these witnesses. The notary is required to verify ID, record the witness(s) via a journal & obtain signature from each.  Important notes: 

        A - In most instances witnesses cannot be related to by blood or marriage, benefit from or named in the documents(s) being signed. 

        B - Many facilities have policies that prohibit staff from acting as witnesses due to liability/legal concerns.             

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Step 6: Book Your Notary Appointment:  Please Read Terms of Service & Obligation of Legal Notice below* : Once you have reviewed the steps above, please book a mobile notary appointment by calling 419-855-2495 Toledo & S.E. Michigan 614-468-3049 Columbus & surrounding areas, or book online

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​Step 7. Set the patient/signer up for success: Make sure the patient/signer is comfortable & has any personal items readily available to them to ease the process of notarization: Identification, eye glasses, hearing aids, dentures, purse/wallet.  For bedridden clients, we can come directly to the bedside. Make copies, give to person or entity requesting documents, keep originals in a safe place. Our notaries carry portable desks, clipboards, signature cards, magnification implements, oversized pens & thumbprint ink to assist our clients with the notarial signing process.

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*For Your Safety Please read - Disclaimer, Waiver & LEGAL OBLIGATION:

The notary is not an attorney. By law, I/we cannot advise, answer document questions, direct or guide you in any way regarding how to fill out or prepare, or alter documents or forms. It is our duty to establish identity and ability/willingness to sign. We, by law, are unable to notarize blank documents, and we are not responsible for the use or misuse of documents nor are we responsible for documents that are filled out incorrectly including documents that may be unusable by the party(s) requesting the documents. These successful steps for signing are based on Secretary of States laws regarding notarizations.  If you have any questions regarding a document’s meaning, application, preparation, legal consequences, etc., you will need to consult an attorney or the person or entity requesting the document. 

 

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Free Printable Copy of 7 successful steps

 

Do you still have questions?  Check out our FAQ section for Hospitals/Care Facilities by clicking here. 

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