FAQs and Misconceptions:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Common Misconceptions:

FAQ Answers:

What's the difference between a Notary Public and a Notary Signing Agent?
A notary public simply acts as an impartial witness to the signing of a document. The Notary Signing Agent acts as courier, may print prepared documents, and facilitates the signing of all the documents, not just the ones requiring notarization. The Notary Signing Agent is aware of recording laws, such as witness requirements or ink color, that a notary public may not be familiar with, nor are they trained to be.

How does an Acknowledgement differ from a Jurat?
An Acknowledgement is the written statement of a notary public that the person who appeared before them was identified by the notary with proper ID and stated that they signed the document of their own free will/act/deed.
A Jurat is the written statement of a notary public that the person who appeared before them has also signed the document in their presence and has made a sworn statement that the information contained in the document is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and belief. The person has produced proper ID, according to state requirements in either case.

What ID is required for a notarization in Connecticut?
Connecticut General Statutes specify that two forms of identification are required for proof of identity for a notarization. The law is specific in what forms of ID can be accepted by a notary public for notary services in Connecticut. Acceptable forms of identification are listed here.

Can a Notary Signing Agent answer questions about the document(s)?
A Notary Public and/or Signing Agent can only show where, within the document(s) an answer is located. Generally, questions that begin with "what, where, who, and sometimes how" can be answered. "Why" questions cannot be answered. For example: "What is my note rate?", can be answered by showing where that information is located on the note. "Is there a prepayment penalty?", can be answered by showing where on the note, note addendum or Truth-In-Lending statement the answer is located. "Who is my lender?", can be answered by showing where on the note, deed, first payment coupon or payment letter the information is located. "How long is my rate locked in on an Adjustable Rate Mortgage such as a 2/28?", can be answered by showing where on the note or addendum the first change date is located. "How much is my monthly payment?", can be answered by showing the first payment coupon/letter, or the Initial Escrow Disclosure statement, if applicable. "How did the document preparer come up with a figure?" is a question that can only be answered by the document preparer.

Misconception Answers:

Notaries Notarize Documents.
A notary public witnesses a signature, not a document. The notary public’s primary role is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of a document. The act of notarization is the statement from the notary on the document that the signer did one of two things in their presence. The signer has either 1. verbally acknowledged that they have signed of their own free will and act or deed, (Acknowledgement) or 2. verbally stated, under oath, that the information contained within the document signed [by the signer] is true and accurate to the best of their [the signer's] knowledge and belief (Jurat). The notary public then completes the correct form for the act performed. Some states allow for additional acts to be performed which may vary from those allowed in Connecticut.

Notaries choose which format to use for the notarization.
The notary cannot decide which form is appropriate for a document. Most forms come to the notary with the correct format preprinted on the document. The notary public may attach a loose certificate to the document, in the same format as preprinted, if the preprinted wording is not as prescribed by state law, if there is not enough room on the document to complete the notarization or if it is in a foreign language in which the notary is not literate. Lacking preprinted wording, the signer has the responsibility to know which format is required for the document presented.

If there is notarial wording on a document, it can be notarized.
Notaries public generally cannot notarize their own signature. Common sense tells us that a person cannot appear before himself or herself, put themselves under oath or witness their own signature. The trick is for the notary public to identify the language used within the document for clues as to whose signature is being notarized. Just because a document contains notarial wording doesn’t necessarily mean it can be notarized.

A Notary Public just stamps and/or seals a document.
A notary public does much more than just stamp a document. A notary public's job includes positively establishing the identity of the person appearing before him/her. Notaries public witness and record the actions of the signer appearing before them onto the document signed. The notary public is critical in preventing fraud and in protecting the individual's rights. Notaries public ensure that each transation is performed properly and by the proper person. By following the laws established for notarizations, the notary is a vital part of protecting the public from illegal acts.