A promissory note must include the date of the loan, the loan amount, the names of both the lender and borrower, the interest rate on the loan, and the timeline for repayment. Once the document is signed by both parties, it becomes a legally binding contract.
No, signing a contract in front of a notary is not required. A notary's involvement does not make a contract somehow more binding or more enforceable than it otherwise would be. (To learn what makes a contract legally valid, see the "What makes a contract legally enforceable?" section in Understanding Contracts.)
Here's the information you'll need to complete it: Who it's going to (borrower): Ensure you have the name and contact information of the recipient (borrower) ready. Date: Get the date on which the original promissory note was issued. Payment due: Keep the figure of the due loan amount ready.
A promissory note must include the date of the loan, the loan amount, the names of both the lender and borrower, the interest rate on the loan, and the timeline for repayment. Once the document is signed by both parties, it becomes a legally binding contract.
A comprehensive promissory note typically includes: Names and contact information of the parties involved. Loan amount. Repayment terms. Interest rate (if applicable) Consequences of default (in case payments are missed) Governing law. Signatures of the borrower and lender.
The promissory note could be declared invalid if it doesn't reveal the amount that the borrower owes the lender, or what installments are due. If there are multiple installments, then include each installment's due date.
Different states have unique laws on whether a promissory note must be notarized. In New York, notarization isn't mandated for promissory notes to be enforceable. However, in California, while not explicitly required by law, notarization adds an extra layer of protection and legitimacy.