An affidavit is based upon either the personal knowledge of the affiant or his or her information and belief. Personal knowledge is the recognition of particular facts by either direct observation or experience. Information and belief is what the affiant feels he or she can state as true, although not based on firsthand knowledge.
An affidavit is a written statement of facts voluntarily made by an affiant under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law.
So, can a notary public notarize out-of-state documents? The short answer is yes, notary publics are legally allowed to notarize documents from any state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary's state of commission.
The Easy Answer: Yes, You May Notarize Out-Of-State Documents.
Virginia notaries have limited powers in performing notarial acts outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. A traditional notary public may perform any notarial act outside the Commonwealth for any writing to be used in the Commonwealth of Virginia or by the United States government.
While a notary public can notarize documents from another state, they must be extra cautious, ensuring the notarial act is legal. Be sure to follow the laws of your state of commission and read the notarial certificate carefully. If you are unsure of the legality of the out-of-state document, you can refuse to sign it.
To be eligible to apply for a Virginia Notary Public Commission, you must be: At least eighteen years old. A legal resident of the United States. Able to read and write the English language. A resident of Virginia or regularly employed in the state and perform notary services in connection with their employment.
The venue may seem fairly insignificant, but it's actually important. Every notary has a limited jurisdiction in which they can perform notarial duties. In most states, a notary's jurisdiction is limited to the state for which they are appointed.
Remote Notarization (remote online notary, or RON) In Virginia, notarizing a document "remotely" is permissible. In fact, Virginia became the first state in 2012 to formally authorize and provide a legal framework for such notarizations.
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
