A notary public plays a vital role in society and it would be difficult to complete many major transactions without them.

Notaries have been around for centuries and have remained the same at the core — a person of impeccable integrity with a long tradition of trust.

The seal of a notary is as trustworthy and binding today as it was when first created.

What is a notary public?

A notary public is an official who is commissioned by state government to serve as an impartial witness of important documents that are being signed.

In some cases, notaries may also be required to administer oaths, where a signer declares under penalty of perjury that the contents of the document are true and accurate.

What is a notary signing agent?

A loan signing agent is a notary that specializes in loan documents. They are often used by mortgage companies and title companies to notarize loan documents for home buyers who are unable to appear in person at a closing.

A loan signing agent must first be a commissioned notary public and have completed a certification process that includes passing a background check. In some states, they may also be required to take continuing education courses on real estate and notary law.

What is a mobile notary?

A mobile notary service can send a traveling notary to your home/office to notarize your paperwork.

This is a wonderful service for people with busy schedules or anyone unable to travel. It also solves the issue with getting a professional notary at typical places like UPS, bank, or a library.

What does a notary do?

Notaries are often used to deter fraud and ensure accuracy in legal transactions.

They are responsible for screening each person signing the document’s identity, their willingness to sign without duress (no force or coercion), and their general awareness of the contents within the document.

The notarization process is simple

Before notarizing a document, notaries ask for photo identification from the participating parties. A notary can refuse to authenticate a document if they are uncertain about the identity of the signing parties or if there is evidence of fraud.

The document then receives the notary’s official signature and seal (usually a notary stamp) and now it is ready to be submitted.

Notaries are also responsible for keeping records of the documents they’ve notarized. This is yet another way we help to deter fraud and ensure accuracy in the event that a document needs to be verified at a later date.

Why are notaries needed?

The main purpose of a notary public is to deter fraud.

Recently, identity crime and attempted fraud jumped by 36% in just 1 year between 2020-2021. This makes the role of a notary increasingly vital in today’s world where scams are at an all time high.

Even with online notarizations which are done virtually, the notary still has the responsibility of screening the validity of the signers and their documents.

To be an effective agent against fraud, the notary public’s trust must be built on impartiality.

Notaries are under a legal duty not to act in cases where they have a personal stake or something to gain. The public holds faith that the notary’s screening process has not been tainted by self-interest.

This impartiality prevents a notary from refusing to assistance someone due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or status as a non-customer.

When do you need a notary?

There are many scenarios where you might need a notary. These include:

• If you’re buying or selling a house
• If you’re transferring ownership of a car or property
• If you want to complete a will, power of attorney, and other estate planning documents
• If you’re renewing your passport
• If you’re traveling with your children
• If you need to sign an affidavit
• If you’re moving to another country

History of Notaries

Notaries have been around for centuries, with the first recorded instances dating back to ancient Babylon. At that time, notaries were wise and respected members of society who oversaw transactions to ensure their fairness.

Over time, the role of notary has evolved into a professional service. However, its core purpose remains the same: to guarantee that all participants in a transaction are who they say they are, that they understand what they’re signing, and that they’re doing so of their own free will.

The integrity that this profession requires has not changed over time, which makes them an invaluable part in our society’s infrastructure.

Notable Figure: John Calvin Coolidge, Sr. was a notary who sworn in the 30th president of The United States of America. That president happens to be his son, Calvin Coolidge.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906004309/https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/68413/notaryguide_2015.pdf

How to become a Notary Public

To become a notary public, you must first contact your state’s notary division to find out the specific requirements. Generally speaking, you must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, and pass a written exam.

Please share this article the next time you are asked what is a notary public!

Did you know that using a mobile notary service is actually the better alternative to using a UPS notary?

It’s true! You could potentially waste your time and money if you use a notary at the local UPS store near you.

There are a number of reasons why this is the case, and we’ll share some of them with you here. But first, let’s talk about what can go wrong with a UPS notarization.

Major Problems With a UPS notary

Most New Yorkers only have 1 or 2 UPS stores nearby – often requiring miles of travel to get there. Let us help you with the possible pitfalls of using the United Postal Service notary public so you don’t waste your time, gas, and energy.

UPS does NOT notarize all documents

Some complex but vital documents will get denied for notarization at UPS. This can include power of attorney, I-9 employment verification, and certain mortgage papers. Your valuable document is guaranteed to be accepted by a full-time notary company like ours.

You risk being denied for:

• Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Large loan signing (such as a NY Cema refinance)

Limited UPS Store notary availability

Not every UPS location has notaries on staff. If one is available, they’re often only free for short windows during business hours. This can make it difficult or impossible to get your documents notarized if UPS timings are not reliable.

Bad appointment process

UPS uses a complicated and often error-prone online appointment system for all several thousand locations. This system doesn’t consider the mountain of work employees already have on their hands and could cause you to wait long past your set appointment time.

Learn more: What is a Notary Public?

UPS Notary Cost

I’m guessing the top question on your mind right now is how much does UPS charge?

The UPS store notary fees vary by location and can be anywhere between $2-$25 in New York and other states. You can expect to be charged for every signature but there is no way to know exactly how much UPS will charge until your appointment.

This lack of transparency led to UPS being sued for overcharging customers for notary services.

Walkers Mobile Notary Service only charges a flat fee for travel/convenience and all extra signatures are free. Before you book, we will give you an exact quote with zero surprises!

Mobile Notary Services – Better Alternative to UPS Store Notary

Save yourself the time & hassle with our convenient traveling notary services.

Get a professional mobile notary public sent to your home to notarize your paperwork — On your schedule!

You can expect to pay more for the convenience of a professional notary traveling to you. It is well worth the cost if you have legal documents, an upcoming deadline, or just prefer great service.

Convenience at your home or office

Imagine having to leave your home in the middle of winter or take time off work to get a document notarized. Only to be greeted by long lines. That’s the experience you get at your local UPS store near you.

You won’t need to leave the comfort of your home since our notaries travel to you!

Never forget documents again

We all know the pain of forgetting something and not realizing until you’re halfway to your destination. It is very annoying to travel to the UPS store twice in 1 day. Walkers mobile notary service eliminates this risk since our agents come to you. 

Flexibility to fit your schedule

We work around your busy day so you can get the notarization done at a time that’s convenient for you.

You can get a mobile notary whenever you need it most, wherever you’re located. Unlike the UPS store where you’re limited by their store hours and appointment availability.

Available Weekends & Holidays

When UPS offices are closed, our notary public services are available to help. We are available outside business hours, on weekends, and many holidays.

Full service Notary Company

Get a knowledgeable and well-trained notary who can ensure your document is properly notarized including attaching extra forms where necessary.

If you require witnesses, we got you covered!

We accept all payment methods including cash, card, Paypal, Zelle, & Cash App.

Online Notary Service Vs Local UPS Store Notaries

Our virtual notary service will be available this year and it will take convenience to a whole new level!

Get a certified notary public to meet over video chat (similar to Zoom) so you can get your legal documents notarized in the comfort of your own home – even in your pajamas!

Stay tuned for our online notary services announcement.

Free Notary Alternatives to The UPS Store

If you are hoping to notarize your document for free, there are a few options available.

Library: It Is common to have a notary on staff at larger public libraries. Be sure to check their website or call ahead to see availability.

Bank: Banks notoriously have a staff member become certified as a notary public to help their clients. This is becoming less common and bank employees tend to deny many requests.

Police or Government : Many police departments and town clerks have a notary public on staff and will often do this free of charge for local residents.