Notary Tips: What to Know Before Your Appointment

Whether it's your first notarization or your fifth, a little preparation makes the appointment faster for everyone. Here's what actually matters.

Bring valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID

A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work — an expired ID does not, no exceptions.

Don't sign in advance

If a document requires notarization, it has to be signed in the notary's presence. Signing beforehand means starting over with a new, unsigned copy.

Know every signer's schedule

If more than one person needs to sign, everyone named on the document should be present (or on video, for Remote Online Notarization) at the same time.

Understand what type of notarization you need

Most documents call for either an acknowledgment or a jurat — your document or the requesting party (bank, attorney, title company) usually specifies which. If you're not sure, ask before the appointment so there are no surprises.

Have the full document, not just the signature page

Missing pages or exhibits can delay or invalidate the notarization.

Ask about mobile and after-hours availability

A big advantage of working with a mobile notary is not having to rearrange your day — appointments can come to your home, office, hospital room, or a public location, including evenings and weekends.

Booking with a bilingual notary matters in a border community

In El Paso and Las Cruces, having a notary who can walk you through the process in English or Spanish avoids miscommunication on documents that often carry real legal weight. Se habla español.

I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. Royal Seal Notary provides notarization services only.