To find a notary, you can typically check at banks, law offices, government offices, and other official places. Some mobile notary services even offer on-the-go notarization. It's important to make sure that the notary you choose is authorized in your area since notary laws and regulations can vary.
Courts often view notarized documents as more credible than those without notarization. If disputes arise about ownership or transaction terms, a notarized bill provides clear evidence of the agreement, reducing legal risks and ambiguities.
Get a bill of sale from a regulatory agency. Many government agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, offer bill of sale forms for public use. Using a form directly from a government agency ensures that you have all of the information required for your state.
Because of this, many states prohibit notarizing a document that is incomplete or contains blank spaces. In California, the Secretary of State's 2024 Notary Public Handbook instructs Notaries to refuse to notarize if the Notary knows a document is incomplete.
Never leave blanks in a Notary certificate Never leave blanks or omit information when you are completing the notarial certificate wording. Missing information in the notarial wording was listed by county recorders in California as one of the top reasons notarized documents are rejected by recording offices.
A notarized document can be invalid if it has missing signatures, improper identification, incorrect or missing notary seals, or an incomplete notary section.
(1) A notary public shall place his or her signature on every record upon which he or she performs a notarial act. The notary public shall sign his or her name exactly as his or her name appears on his or her application for commission as a notary public.
Because of this, many states prohibit notarizing a document that is incomplete or contains blank spaces. In California, the Secretary of State's 2024 Notary Public Handbook instructs Notaries to refuse to notarize if the Notary knows a document is incomplete.