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.
If you need to visit a Notary during regular business hours, you can usually find notarial services at banks, libraries, and mailbox/photocopy shops. Other businesses with Notaries on-site include: FindaNotary. AAA and UPS Stores.
Key elements of notarized documents include the notary's signature and seal, acknowledgment section, jurisdiction information, date and venue, and the signer's identification. These elements confirm the document's authenticity and secure its use in legal proceedings, providing trust and protecting against fraud.
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
While the language varies depending on the type of notarization and the law of the state in which you are commissioned, the main body of a certificate will require you to note the date of the notarization, the name of the signer appearing before you, and your official name as the Notary.
This certificate must follow the format prescribed in California Civil Code Section 1189. The certificate includes specific elements such as the venue, the notary's name, the signer's name, and a statement confirming the voluntary signature. Notaries must affix their official seal on the acknowledgment certificate.
While the language varies depending on the type of notarization and the law of the state in which you are commissioned, the main body of a certificate will require you to note the date of the notarization, the name of the signer appearing before you, and your official name as the Notary.
Unless your state allows journals to be openly inspected, a person asking to see or copy an item should only be allowed access to entries directly related to their request. To protect the privacy of other signers, always cover unrelated entries on the same page as the entry you are copying.
