The word 'notarize' is confusing to many people. What does it mean to get something notarized? This article will explain what a notarization is, and how Brosgall Legal | Notary Services can assist. If you have any questions, or want to book an appointment, please send us an email or call us at 604-685-ADAM [2326]. You may also visit our VancouverNotary.biz home page for further information.
Basically, notarizing something can mean one of two things:
- the formal witnessing of a signature; or
- the certification of a true copy of a document.
These two forms of notarizations are explained below.
WITNESSING OF A SIGNATURE
A signature witnessesed by a notary public is often required for important paperwork. A notarized signature certifies for the receiving party that the signature is valid, and that the correct person signed the document. The primary reason notarizations are required is to reduce the risk of fraud. The validity of notarized documents can be trusted, and that is why they are so often required. This is what to expect when you visit our office: We will look at your identification (picture ID) to confirm who you are, and take a copy for our records. We then act as a witnesses as you sign the document. Finally, we prepare a notarial certificate, and it is attached to the signed document. The notarial certificate contains all the relevant information that ties everything together. It will indicate your name and the ID that we took to confirm your identity. It will list and describe the documents that were signed by you. Lastly, the notarial certificate will certify that the notary identified the signer to their satisfaction, as well as the fact that they were a witness as the signature took place. Two things to remember - be sure to bring two pieces of ID, one being government issued photo ID; and you can fill out your documentation beforehand to save time, but do not sign the document until you are at our office. If you have already signed your document, don't worry, you can sign it again at our office. To complete the notarial act, we apply our signature and official seal to both the notarial certificate and the signed document. This ensures that the receiving party will be satisfied of the validity of the notarized signature.
CERTIFYING A TRUE COPY OF A DOCUMENT
When you only have one orininal of a document, obviously you don't want to give it away. So what happens when a third party needs that document? The answer is the preparation of a notarized copy of your original document. A notarized copy is also known as a certified copy. In most circumstances, a notarized copy of an original document will be accepted just as readily as the original itself. Of course, the advantage is that you retain the original. Remember to bring the original document with you to our office. You can prepare a copy ahead of time, or we can make the photocopy ourselves. Once the copy is made, we will attach it to a notarial certificate. The certificate is the document that the notary uses to certify that the copy is a true copy of the original document. To complete the notarization, we apply our signature and official seal to both the notarial certificate and the true copy. This ensures that the receiving party will be satisfied of the validity of the notarized copy.
VANCOUVER NOTARY PUBLIC, COMMISSIONER OF OATHS, AND LAWYER
Brosgall Legal's owner and principal, Adam Brosgall, is an experienced Vancouver Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, and Lawyer. He is fully qualified, licenced, and insured to do all forms of notarizations. If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email, or call 604-685-ADAM [2326] to book an appointment. Same day service and walk-ins are welcome. Please see our Vancouver Notary home page for our other services, and we look forward to seeing you.