FAQs

 

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary is a person of proven integrity appointed by the government to serve the public as an impartial witness to the identity of a person who is signing a document by administering an oath and/or affirmations and performing other acts authorized by law.

What is a mobile notary?

A mobile Notary Public is a notary willing to travel to the location of the client in order to fulfill his or her duties. A mobile Notary Public makes the process of notarizing documents a great deal easier for individuals or corporations to procure. Hiring a mobile Notary is essential for companies looking for services such as loan signings or notarized documents outside of regular business hours or locations.

What is a Signing Agent?

A Notary Signing Agent is a Notary who has special expertise to handle and notarize loan documents. For lenders, Notary Signing Agents are the critical final link to completing the loan. A Notary Signing Agent is hired as an independent contractor to ensure that real estate loan documents are executed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing on time. Completing this critical part of the loan process enables the loan to be funded.

Why are documents notarized?

To deter identity theft and fraud. A Notary ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not imposters. The Notary makes sure that signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.

What are acceptable forms of identification?

  • A PA driver’s license or non-drivers identification card

  • A U.S. Passport

  • A foreign Passport stamped by the USCIS

  • A driver’s license or non-drivers identification card Issued by a territory of the U.S., another state, issued in Mexico or Canada

  • U.S. military ID; for active-duty personnel, retirees, and dependents

  • Identification issued by USCIS; Ex: Permanent Resident card

What Types of Loan Signings do you Handle?

Seller Packages, Purchases, Heloc, Refinance Packages, Reverse, whatever type of loan you have, we have you covered. We are NNA Certified Loan Signing Agents, background screened, E&O insured, and backed by a PA bond.

What can a notary signing agent do & not do?

A notary public can:

  • Attest documents and certify their execution for use in the USA and abroad

  • Certify Powers of Attorney, contracts, deeds, wills, and numerous other legal documents

  • Administer oaths for local and international documents

  • Witness signatures to statutory declarations, powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, and other legal documents

  • Certify copy of documents for use in the US and abroad

A notary public cannot:

  • Offer legal advice, or modify any terms on a document

  • Notarize blank or incomplete documents

  • Notarize signatures of people who are not present

What do you need at the time of Signing?

Please review all documents for the correct spelling of names and correct dates. Please complete all forms except signatures and notarized areas. Every signer must physically appear and is required to show a valid (unexpired) government-issued ID, which includes a photo, signature, and physical description of the holder; and includes an identifying number at the time of notarization.

Can handwritten or personally drafted documents be notarized?

Yes, however, notary/certificate wording should be included in your document to ensure that it is properly notarized. If proper wording is not included a loose certificate can be attached. Please note, that the client must advise which certificate is to be attached. A notary can not choose. Choices include an acknowledgment, which proves you signed the document, or a Jurat in which, the signer swears/affirms what they signed is true.

Can I come to your location?

Since we are a mobile notary with no physical office, we have one location where we can meet without assessing the travel charge:

Keller Williams Exton, 100 Campbell Blvd, Exton, PA 19341

PLEASE NOTE: We do not keep office hours at this location, you must call, text, or email to schedule an appointment.

What is your service area?

We come to you at your home, office, job site, or any place that is most convenient for you. We primarily offer our coverage in and around Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. We also commonly offer services to surrounding areas in Chester County including, Exton, Downingtown, Glenmoore, Phoenixville, Malvern, and West Chester.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, it is preferable to book an appointment in advance in order to ensure we will be available to see you. This also allows us to ensure that we have all the necessary documents in advance and that the appointment is as brief as possible for you.

How do I schedule an Appointment?

• You can call or text us at (610) 756-7808

• An Appointment can be made using our online form located on our scheduling site.

• You can send a request via email to erica@notaryinadash.com

How much does it cost?

This will depend on the document being certified and exactly what the notary is required to do. We are happy to discuss this with you prior to your appointment (please note it will often be necessary to see the document in advance in order to provide an accurate fee estimate).

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, all major Credit/Debit Cards, Venmo, and Paypal. For your convenience, we do also have invoicing accounts for companies and repeat clients.

Do you notarize on the weekends?

Yes, we are a mobile notary service on weekend afternoons and early evening (both Saturday and Sunday)…and even most holidays.

Can a notary public practice law?

It is important to remember that a notary public is not licensed to practice law, prepare documents or provide any legal counsel. Their role is primarily that of an impartial witness to the signing of various documents and legal forms. While some attorneys are also notaries public, no one at Steel City Notary is a licensed attorney. As such, we cannot give legal advice of any kind.

Can a notary perform a marriage?

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, notary publics cannot perform marriages. For a full explanation of what a Pennsylvania notary public can do, consult the PA Department of Labor Notary Information page.

Why are there two rate schedules?

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the cost of notarial acts is regulated by the PA Department of State. Separate from the notarial act, a notary public may charge an administrative or convenience fee, and in the case of mobile notaries, a travel fee, where applicable. These administrative, convenience and travel charges are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and as such, may vary from notary to notary.

Can you issue a license plate and registration?

We are not approved by PennDOT as a “Full Agent” notary to perform these services.

What is the difference between an eNotary and a Virtual Notary?

An eNotary has the ability to digitally sign and notarize documents, but all parties to the notarial act must still be physically present in the same room as the notary, and ID verification must take place in person, not on the computer.

A virtual notary or “Remote Online Notary” (RON) has the ability to digitally sign and notarize documents and any or all parties to the notarial act may be elsewhere; their presence before the notary is facilitated by state-sanctioned video and audio software. ID verification takes place digitally, and the parties may be anywhere in the world, as long as they are each calling in on a separate device (two people cannot appear before the RON on the same tablet, even if they are in the same room as each other). The RON must be in Pennsylvania.

Does Pennsylvania allow eNotary and Virtual Notary transactions?

Pennsylvania permits eNotary transactions. All parties to the notarial act must be physically present in the same room as the notary, and ID verification must take place in person, not on the computer.