Does a Notary Make My Document Legal?
Does a Notary Make My Document Legal?
If you've ever wondered what that little notary stamp actually means, you're not alone.
A common misconception is that once a notary signs, stamps, and seals a document, the notary has somehow approved the document.
That's not what notarization does.
So what DOES the notary do?
A Florida notary performs a specific notarial act.
Depending on the document, that may involve an acknowledgment, jurat, oath or affirmation, or another authorized notarial act.
The notary verifies the required elements for that act and completes the appropriate notarial certificate according to Florida's requirements.
What the notary doesn't do
A notary isn't the person who determines whether the underlying document is legally appropriate for you.
A notary does not:
Interpret the legal meaning of your document
Tell you what you should sign
Choose legal language for you
Determine whether a contract is in your best interest
Guarantee that the information in the document is true
Provide legal advice
Florida law specifically places limits on what a notary may do, including restrictions related to providing legal advice.
Then why is notarization important?
Because the notarial act serves an important purpose.
The notary is performing a formal act connected to the signer's identity, appearance, acknowledgment, oath or affirmation, and execution of the document, depending on the type of notarization being performed.
That's why the notary has to pay attention to the details.
The document isn't simply being stamped.
The notarial act has to be performed correctly.
Think of it this way:
The document comes first.
The notarial act comes next.
The stamp documents the notarial act.
The stamp doesn't replace the work that went into preparing the document—and it doesn't turn a legally inappropriate document into a legally appropriate one.
If you have questions about what your document means or what you should put in it, contact the person who prepared the document or a qualified attorney.
If you have questions about the notarization itself, that's where your notary can help.
At Magnolia Signature Services, I can explain the notarization process and what I need from you as the signer while staying within the proper role of a Florida notary.
Because behind every stamp is a responsibility to get the notarial act right. 🖋️🌸
Magnolia Signature Services LLC
Mobile Notary • Apostille • Loan Signing • Wedding Officiant • Courier
Serving Panama City & Bay County, Florida
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