Mistakes Related to Signing
Signing the Document Before the Notary Arrives
One of the most frequent errors is signing a document ahead of the appointment, either out of habit or a misunderstanding of how notarization works. A notary must witness the signature being made in order to notarize it, so a document signed beforehand typically has to be signed again in the notary’s presence, or in some cases cannot be notarized at all if the signer is unwilling to sign a second time.
Using an Inconsistent Signature
Signing a document differently than the signature on file with a notary or differently than the name printed on an identification card can raise questions during the notarization process. While minor variations are usually not disqualifying, a signature that looks noticeably different from the one on a driver’s license or passport can prompt a notary to pause and ask for clarification.
Mistakes Related to Identification
Bringing Expired or Unacceptable Identification
Arriving at an appointment with an expired driver’s license or an identification type the notary cannot legally accept is one of the most common reasons appointments have to be rescheduled. Confirming acceptable forms of identification before the appointment, rather than assuming any ID will work, helps avoid this setback entirely.
Failing to Arrange Credible Witnesses When Needed
For signers without valid identification, most states allow identification through credible witnesses, but this requires those witnesses to be present at the appointment with their own valid ID. Forgetting to arrange this in advance often results in a wasted trip, since a notary generally cannot proceed without some form of identity verification.
Mistakes Related to the Document Itself
Leaving Blank Spaces or Incomplete Fields
Submitting a document with blank fields, missing dates, or unfilled sections can cause a notary to decline notarization, since an incomplete document raises the risk that it could be altered after the fact. Reviewing a document fully before the appointment and completing every required field helps prevent this issue.
Missing Pages or Attachments
Documents that reference exhibits, attachments, or additional pages that are not actually included at the time of notarization can create problems, particularly for documents intended for legal or official use. A notary is only certifying what is physically presented, so missing components can render the notarization incomplete for the document’s intended purpose.
Mistakes Related to Notarial Wording
Using the Wrong Type of Notarial Certificate
Documents sometimes arrive with the wrong notarial certificate attached, such as an acknowledgment when a jurat is required, or vice versa. These two certificate types serve different legal purposes, an acknowledgment confirms the signer’s identity and willingness, while a jurat includes an oath about the truthfulness of the document’s contents, so using the wrong one can cause the notarization to be rejected by the receiving institution.
Assuming a Notary Can Draft or Correct Legal Language
Some people mistakenly expect a notary to fix errors in a document’s legal wording or provide advice on what a document should say. Notaries are generally not permitted to practice law unless separately licensed to do so, and their role is limited to witnessing signatures and administering oaths, not editing or advising on document content.
Mistakes Related to Logistics
Failing to Confirm Fees and Payment Methods in Advance
Some notaries only accept certain forms of payment, such as cash or a specific digital payment method, and showing up without the correct payment on hand can delay or derail an otherwise straightforward appointment.
Not Accounting for Multiple Signers’ Schedules
When a document requires more than one signer, scheduling an appointment without confirming that everyone can attend at the same time is a common oversight, since a notary generally needs all signers present together, or arranged through separate verified appointments, to complete the notarization properly.