Before Your notarization Checklist

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DO NOT SIGN documents until you are in the presence of the notary.

Completely fill in all blank spaces in documents before Notary arrives but DO NOT SIGN!

We cannot notarize incomplete documents with blank lines.  We cannot accept just the last "signature page" without the rest of the document present - you must give the notary the complete document at the time of notarization.

If you have questions about how to complete the document, contact the person who drafted or requested the document.  A Notary Public is unable to provide legal advice or assistance in the drafting and/or completion of documents.

When meeting with your notary every signer must physically appear, be coherent, fully alert, and able to prove to the notary that they understand the contents being signed.  Nodding is not sufficient.  The notary cannot notarize someone with Alzheimer's or dementia or someone on medication that makes the signer extremely drowsy.  

Every singer must present acceptable ID at the time of notarization. 

Original documents must be presented.

A notary in TN is not allowed to certify copies, you will have to be the document custodian. Vital records (birth, death, and marriage) cannot be notarized.

Each signer needs to be able to explain what he or she is signing in English to the notary.  

It's ok if the document is in a foreign language, but the notary wording that the notary signs must be in English.

Know which Notary Certificate you need.  A Notary Public cannot give advice on which one to use.