Question 1

What is a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government —typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. These official acts are called notarizations, or notarial acts. Notaries are publicly commissioned as “ministerial” officials, meaning that they are expected to follow written rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion, as would otherwise be the case with a “judicial” official.

Question 2

What does a Notary Public Do?

Accepted Answer

A Notary's duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct. Property deeds, wills and powers of attorney are examples of documents that commonly require a Notary.
Impartiality is the foundation of the Notary's public trust. They are duty-bound not to act in situations where they have a personal interest. The public trusts that the Notary’s screening tasks have not been corrupted by self-interest. And impartiality dictates that a Notary never refuse to serve a person due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation or status as a non-customer.
As official representatives of the state, Notaries Public certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those diverse transactions convey real estate, grant powers of attorney, establish a prenuptial agreement, or perform the multitude of other activities that enable our civil society to function.

Question 3

Is a Notary Public the same as a Notario Publico?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Notaries in foreign countries, a U.S. Notary Public is not an attorney, judge or high-ranking official. A U.S. Notary is not the same as a Notario Publico and these differences can be confusing for immigrants when they approach Notaries in this country. Notaries in the United States should be very clear about what they can or cannot do to serve immigrants the right way and steer clear of notario issues.

Question 4

What notary authority do notaries have?

Accepted Answer

A Missouri notary has authority to take acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, certify a copy of a document and perform any other act permitted by law.

Question 5

Can you perform a notary act in any county in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a Missouri resident notary I may notarize in any county of the state of Missouri.

Question 6

Are you allowed to notarize an absentee ballot or absentee registration?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I am allowed to notarize an absentee ballet or absentee registration at no charge.

Question 7

Are you allowed to notarize a document for your family memeber (s)?

Accepted Answer

While there is no prohibition against notarizing a relatives' signature, a notary is to be an "unbiased witness" and cannot have a disqualifying interest in the transaction that is being notarized. In other words a notary can not notarize any document for any family memeber.

Question 8

Can you take an acknowledgement over the phone?

Accepted Answer

No. The acknowledgement is a part of the notarial process and must be done with the client personally appearing before the notary.

Question 9

If I introduced you to my cousin can you consider my cousin as a personally known client?

Accepted Answer

No. I can only verify the identity of the signer only by personal knowledge.

Question 10

Can you make a copy of a birth cerificate?

Accepted Answer

Copies of Missouri birth certificates are to be obtained from the office of Vital Records or the Health Department.

Question 11

Are you allowed to notarize a document being signed over a webcam?

Accepted Answer

No. In order to notarize a document, the signer and the notary must be physically in each other's presence.

Question 12

What qualifies as proper identification?

Accepted Answer

Proper identification is either a government issued identification card such as a drivers license, military id card, non-drivers license or even a passport that shows your picture and signature.
 
Acceptable Forms of Identification for Notary Services
 
State-issued driver's license
 
State-issued identification card
 
U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State
 
U.S. military ID
 
State, county and local government IDs
 
Permanent resident card, or "green card," issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services​*
 
​Foreign passport*
 
Driver's license officially issued in Mexico or Canada*
 
*Only in Some States.

Question 13

How long is the notary proscess?

Accepted Answer

It usually only takes a few minutes to complete the notary process.

Question 14

Do you accept credit or debit cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We accept all major credit and debit cards. We also accept cash and money orders.

Question 15

Are you allowed to notarize a signature for a minor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The minor must appear before the notary. If said minor does not have a government issued id said minor must have the correct number of credible witnesses to verify his/her identity. The minor must be able to read and understand the document and must sign of his/her own free will. Said minor must also understand the importants of the notary act.

Question 16

How many credible witnesses does a minor need to have a document signed and notarized?

Accepted Answer

A minorwho does not have a government issued id will need to have one (1) credible witness in order to have a document notarized.

Question 17

May a parent be a credible witness for a minor?

Accepted Answer

No. Credible witnesses must be a disinterested third party who have no interest in the transaction or business of the document. It is difficult in any situation for a parent not to have an interest in a document a minor may be asked to sign.

Question 18

What if the document is something that "legally" should not be signed by a minor?"

Accepted Answer

Unless a notary is also an attorney or working under the guidence of an attorney. The notary does not have the experience or training to determine or advice others wither a minor should sign a document.

Question 19

What if I have already signed my document that needs to be notarized, can you still notarize it?"

Accepted Answer

If you have already signed your document before you come to have it notarized you will need to re-sign it in front of the notary in order for it to be notarized.

Question 20

What if I have a document and it states on it that "This document can not be reproduced" will I still be able to have it certified?"

Accepted Answer

No. If a document has "This document can not be reproduced" on it you will not be able to have it certified.

Question 21

Can I get a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage license, or divorce decree certified?"

Accepted Answer

No. Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage license and divorce decrees cannot be certified. Certified copies of these documents should be obtained from the issuing agency.

Question 22

Can a notary enotarize a document?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Notaries in the state of Missouri are allowed to enotarize documents.  Starting June 30, 2017 provision of 15 CSR 30-110.010 that the purpose of this provision is to clarify statutory section 486.275.2. 
However the notary will still have to have seen the signer sign the document before the notary. Then it's the notary's responsablility to place their notary wording and signature and seal on the original document.

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