Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid During a Notary Appointment

Having a document notarized should be a quick process, but simple mistakes can halt the appointment entirely. Here are the top errors to avoid:

1. Signing the document beforehand. A notary must physically witness you signing the document. If you sign it before they arrive, you will have to re-sign it in front of them, which can look messy or invalidate certain forms.

2. Forgetting valid ID. In Iowa, notaries must verify your identity using a current, government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport). Expired IDs are generally not accepted.

3. Not having all signers present. If a document requires multiple signatures, all parties must be present for the notary to witness, unless the document has separate notarial certificates for each signer.

4. Incomplete documents. A notary cannot notarize a document with blank spaces. Ensure all non-signature fields are filled out prior to the appointment to prevent fraud.

5. Asking the notary for legal advice. Notaries are impartial witnesses, not attorneys. We cannot explain the legal implications of the document you are signing.