Do you have a deed, a will or another important document to sign? Your notary search in Pennsylvania is over. Get your documents notarized at AAA.
Notary services are just one of the many fantastic benefits you get from joining your local AAA club. Whether another party requires you to notarize something or you want some additional legal security, notarizing a document is a quick and easy process. Besides notarizing your signature on important personal documents, we can also create certified copies* of one-of-a-kind documents such as diplomas so you can submit them for official purposes without losing your original copy.
When you need to notarize a document, you may have a few questions about the process. For example, many people in central Pennsylvania looking for a public notary nearby are surprised to hear it called "notary public." While the second term can sound a little strange to our American ears, both terms refer to the same public official. Rest assured, you can notarize your documents legally with a AAA notary public.
Learn all about AAA's notary services in Pennsylvania and answer all your questions about the process.
Important documents are notarized to prevent fraud. The notary public ensures the signer and witness, if required, are who they say they are. They usually do this by checking their driver's licenses or identification cards. The notary will also ensure the signer agrees to the terms knowingly and willingly and see that documents are signed correctly.
Notarizing a document ensures:
A notary verifies each signer's identity and looks for signals that a signer is intoxicated or being coerced. If the document contains an oath, the notary will administer it.
In the past, most contracts needed a notary stamp. Today, many documents, including signed legal agreements, do not need to be notarized. However, certain documents require notarization by federal or state law. Even when not legally required to, a party may request notarization as an extra measure to prevent fraud and identity theft. It ensures that courts can independently verify the transaction after signing. Notaries keep a record of all transactions, providing proof that a document was notarized after the fact.
You may need to notarize personal documents such as:
Property deeds are one of the few documents that must always be notarized. When buying or selling your house or another piece of property, you'll likely need to visit a notary. Deeds must have notarized signatures to ensure a comprehensive record of ownership. Without notarization, others could claim ownership of your house.
Some states require power of attorney documents to be notarized. This is a crucial measure against fraud since a power of attorney allows a person to make decisions on another's behalf. You do not want someone to forge your signature on a power of attorney document. In 2014, Pennsylvania passed 2014 Act 95, which added the requirement for any power of attorney documents to be acknowledged before a notary public. They also require two witnesses besides the signatory and the notary.
Typically, a last will and testament doesn't require notarization. Instead, after writing your will, you may need other individuals to witness and sign the document. The advantage of having a notary present is that it acts as an official verification of the signature. When the will's creator dies, the papers may need to be verified in court. The judge will ask the witnesses to verify their signatures. If the witnesses have also died or aren't close by, it could delay executing the will. Notarization also makes it more challenging for someone to contest the will.
An affidavit is any written statement made under oath or affirmation. It's often used in court cases. The notary has the power to administer these oaths. Notaries often call these types of documents jurats. When notarizing with a jurat, you must appear before the notary and sign the form in their presence. The notary administers the oath or affirmation out loud, and you must verbally confirm that the statements are factual. If the contents are not accurate, you may face prosecution for perjury.
Sometimes, you may need a copy of an original document for legal purposes. A notary can verify that the duplicate is a complete and accurate reproduction or transcription of the original.
Copy certification may be necessary for documents such as:
When obtaining a copy certification, you'll bring your original document to the notary, who will create and certify a photocopy for you. Not every state allows notaries to create copy certifications. Since Pennsylvania revised its rules on the powers of a notary public, effective October 26, 2017, notaries may legally certify or attest a copy.
AAA Central Penn staffs all our offices with certified notary publics, here to notarize most of your personal documents. The items and documents AAA notary services in Pennsylvania may notarize depend on state laws on a notary's powers.
At AAA Central Penn, we can notarize:
We can't notarize:
At AAA, notarizing documents is one of the many unexpected services we offer all AAA members. If you're a Classic member, you can have your documents notarized through us for a nominal fee. AAA notary services cost even less for a AAA Plus or AAA Premier member since most notary fees are waived entirely.
If you're not already a AAA member, now is the perfect time to join. Notarizing a document often comes along with a major life milestone. Whether you're moving to a new home, getting married, buying a new car or taking another big step, AAA provides a whole host of benefits that can give you some extra security. Make your life a little easier as you make your next big leap forward, and do more to protect yourself and your loved ones with AAA. See all the benefits a AAA membership has to offer:
One of the most immediate benefits you'll have at your disposal is a convenient, affordable location to have your documents notarized. Since we have notaries staffed at every branch, you can find notary services near Carlisle, Lancaster and Hershey, Pennsylvania, and any of our Central Penn AAA clubs. It's one of those lesser-known benefits you receive as an AAA club member.
Ready to have your documents notarized at your local AAA branch? Here are a few tips to make sure your visit goes smoothly:
Notaries cannot notarize the signature of someone who isn't present, even over the phone. Each signer must be face-to-face with the notary and declare their signature is genuine. Do not sign documents in advance. If your document requires witness signatures, make sure you understand whether the notary can count as a witness. The rules can vary from document to document. If you need any witnesses other than the notary, make sure they're there, too. AAA Central Penn cannot provide a witness for you at our offices.
One of a notary's central responsibilities is verifying your identity. Even if the notary knows you by name, they need to check some form of unexpired legal identification.
Valid identification forms vary by state. Pennsylvania authorizes notaries to accept four forms of identification:
It's smart to read your agreement thoroughly and be ready to accept the terms before you bring it to our office.
You also need to know what type of notarization you need. Notaries aren't licensed attorneys, meaning they cannot legally advise you on what type of notarization you need. Many documents include a notarial statement describing the type of notarization required. If yours doesn't have one, talk to the party requiring your notarized signature to determine what type of notarization they need.
The types of notarial acts include:
When signing a large document, you may need several pages to bear your notarized signature. Know all the places you need to sign and mark them, so you don't forget any. If your document has any blank spaces, strike a line through or write "N/A." Make sure your forms contain no misspellings and have been completely and correctly filled out. When you arrive at our office, all you'll have to do is sign.
At AAA, we're always finding ways to give you more value for your membership with services like notarizing documents. With a notary public staffed at every AAA Central Penn branch, we make it easy to find a notary in your area. Simply locate your nearest AAA branch and bring us your documents at a convenient time. Feel free to call ahead with any questions about our notary services. We're always happy to help!
