FAQs

WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC?

A person commissioned by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness with duties specified by law. The notary has the power to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths.

WHAT A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOT?

A Notary is not an attorney or law firm and does not provide legal advice nor legal forms. Nothing in this information is intended nor should it be considered legal advice. Each legal matter is unique and specific; as such Piedmont Notary Services LLC encourages every individual and business to see guidance from legal counsel concerning their specific legal matter.

NOTE: I-9 Forms – This form is not notarized; however, I may act as an authorized representative for your employer. I charge $25 per form to meet with you, review your identification documents from the required categories, complete section 2 and sign this paper form.  If your employer requires your I-9 to be completed via computer, my fee is $35 and we will meet at the closest public library to complete this process using one of the library computers.

Wills and Depositions – Due to the nature of Wills and Depositions, Signing Agent services are provided; they require a much longer appointment time and must be done in the privacy of your home or office. Please call for a travel fee quote which is dependent upon your location, however appointments in the Town of Culpeper are typically $25 plus $5 each time I place my notary stamp.  Wills must be prepared by an attorney or legal document service or software; the Notary certificate must be pre-printed on the document. Wills generally require at least two witness signatures, and the witness signatures typically require notarization.  Witnesses must be prepared to show photo ID to the notary, as their signatures will typically be notarized on a Self-Proving Affidavit that accompanies the Will.  Witnesses should be over the age of 18 and disinterested parties to the Will (they should not be beneficiaries of the Will, and best practice is for witnesses not to be related to the signer of the will.)  Please call if you have questions about your Will.

WHAT A NOTARY PUBLIC CAN NOT NOTARIZE FOR YOU.

Virginia notaries are not allowed to authorize or certify copies of marriage certificates, birth or death certificates or any public records in the custody of the courts or State Corporation Commission.

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME TO HAVE MY DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED?

ALL SIGNERS REQUESTING NOTARIZATION SERVICES MUST BE PRESENT IN PERSON AND SHOW A NON-EXPIRED GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID:

• State Driver’s License
• State Non-Driver Identification Card
• United States Passport
• United States Passport Card
• United States Military ID
• Certificate of United States Citizenship
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Foreign Passport
• Alien Registration Card with Photograph

Do not sign your document until you meet with the notary, although you may complete any blank lines contained within the document prior to meeting with the notary.