04/23/2021
Well it's Notary Public license/commission renewal time for me! Got the WA-DoL portion done, now to renew/recertify on Notary (Loan) Signing Agent and the background check. New things every go-around.
However, the changes that apply to YOU:
Physical Presence
All signers must sign the documents to be notarized while in the notary public's presence. This is called "personal appearance." We can't notarize the signature of someone who contacts us only by mail, phone, or over the internet.
Proper identification
Before a notary may notarize a document, they must first confirm the identity of each party signing the document. There are 3 ways to properly identify a signer:
Acceptable Identification documents in WA state must:
Be current or expired for less than 3 years.
Be issued by a federal or state government.
Contain the individuals photograph, signature, and physical description.
Personal knowledge
This doesn't mean someone the notary was just introduced to. Ask yourself if you'd be able to describe your "personal knowledge" of the signer adequately when under oath in a court of law.
On the oath or affirmation of a credible witness
The notary must know the credible witness.
The credible witness must know the signer.
The credible witness must identify the signer to the notary.
Also new to WA state (permanently now) is Electronics Records Notarization and Remote Electronic Notarization. Still sifting through all of that but will add it to the "toolbox" shortly.
Make it a great day all! And remember, I'm in the west Olympia, WA neighborhood. Call or email if I can be of assistance to you as a Notary Public.