What To Bring When Meeting a Mobile Notary

Let’s face it, not everyone has the time to visit a notary public’s office to have his or her documents notarized. If you’re middle of closing on a mortgage loan, for instance, you’ll probably be confined to the seller’s home or the real estate agent’s office. Thankfully, there are notary publics out there who specialize in on-site notarizations.           

Known as mobile notaries, they will come to you to perform the required notarial act. Instead of driving to the notary’s office, you can schedule a time and date to meet with a mobile notary at a location of your choosing. This makes the already tedious process of closing on a loan just a little bit easier since you don’t have to go out of your way to have your documents notarized. Before you hit the road to meet with a mobile notary, however, there are a few items you’ll need to bring.

Here are the items you’ll need to bring when meeting a mobile notary:

• Document – I know this is probably common sense to most people, but it’s worth mentioning that you’ll need to bring the document(s) which require notarization. If you happen to leave the document at home, the notary may charge you for his or her time.
• Identification – remember, you must bring a form of valid identification when meeting a mobile notary. The notary’s job is to watch the signing of the document, verify the signer is who he or she says they are, and place a stamp/seal (in some states) to signify the notarization is complete. Forms of valid identification may include driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport and military card.
• Cash – some mobile notaries may accept credit cards and debit cards, but cash is always a safe bet.
• Black or blue-ink pen (optional) – a mobile notary should be able to provide you with a pen, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup ready just in case he or she forgets to bring it.

What You Should Know About Mobile Notaries

Choosing the services of a mobile notary over a standard “local” notary will prove beneficial when closing on mortgage loans and other time-intensive signings. Rather than trying to squeeze time in your day to drive to the notary’s office, you can have them meet you at a location of your choosing.

But the downside to using a mobile notary is the cost. Since they must go out of their way to meet clients, mobile notaries usually charge more for their services. A standard notary public may charge $10 for a typical notarial act, whereas a mobile notary may charge a “travel fee” of $30. Again, prices vary depending on the notary’s respective state and his or her fee structure, so do your homework beforehand to find out how much mobile notaries charge in your area.