FAQ

A Notary’s duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct. Property deeds, wills and powers of attorney are examples of documents that commonly require a Notary.

A notary’s duty is to be a neutral witness to the signing of documents. A notary makes sure that signers are who they say they are and have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.

Notaries in Colorado can administer oaths and affirmations and certify copies. They can also take acknowledgements, depositions, witness signatures, affidavits, verifications, and other sworn testimony or statements.

Oaths and affirmations are both pledges sworn to before a notary public attesting to the truth of a given statement. An oath calls upon a supreme being as a witness, while an affirmation is made under penalty of perjury.

In an acknowledgment, the notary is guaranteeing that:

The signer was in the notary’s presence,

The notary identified the signer, and

The signer acknowledged that the signature on the document is his or hers.

Technically, acknowledgments don’t have to be signed in the notary’s presence. However, the notarization must take place in the signer’s presence.

When a signer signs a document in a notary’s physical presence, the notary has witnessed a signature. The certificate may use words such as “signed before me”.

The signer was in the notary’s presence,

The notary identified the signer, and

The notary watched the signer sign.

An electronic notarization is a document in electronic format that is signed and notarized electronically, then filed or transmitted electronically to its intended destination. It is used in transactions between private parties who agree to it.

Electronic notarization does not mean remote notarization. As with all notarizations, the signer must appear in the physical presence of the notary.

You must see an acceptable form of identification in order to have satisfactory evidence of identity.

Acceptable identification must:

Be an identification card or another form of government issued identification that is current or that has been expired for one year or less, and

Contain either the signer’s signature or signer’s photograph.

Satisfactory evidence can include the sworn written statement (affidavit, declaration, etc.) of a credible witness personally appearing before the notary. The credible witness must personally know the signer who lacks sufficient identification. The credible witness must also either (1) personally know the notary or (2) be identified by the notary using sufficient identification.

After notarizing the credible witness’s signed statement, the notary may opt to keep a copy but is not required to do so. As with all notarial acts, the notary must fully record the notarization in their journal and that journal entry is sufficient.

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A, N N. “What Is a Notary Public?” National Notary Association, 2018, www.nationalnotary.org/.

United States, Congress, Secretary of State, and Colorado Government. “C.R.S. Title 24 Government – State.” C.R.S. Title 24 Government – State, Published by Authority of Mary Estill Bushanan, Secretary of State, 1981, pp. 1–10000.

There are special restrictions for such notarizations. A notary may not notarize a will or codicil or any acknowledgment required under sections 15-11-502 or 15-11-504, C.R.S., except as specifically provided in the Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act (HB 21-1004, effective January 21, 2021; amended by SB 21-266, effective July 2, 2021), codified at sections 15-11-1301 to 15-11-1311, C.R.S.

Always Open Notary is a mobile notary public service dedicated to providing professional notarization services. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and legality of documents, we are not responsible for the content or implications of the documents presented for notarization. Our role is limited to verifying the identity of signers and witnessing the signing of documents. We do not offer legal advice or guarantee the validity of the content within the documents. Clients are encouraged to seek legal counsel for any concerns related to document content. Always Open Notary reserves the right to refuse notarization services if there are doubts about the signer’s identity or the legality of the documents presented. By engaging our services, clients acknowledge and accept these terms.

Our mobile notary public services are provided with the utmost dedication to accuracy and efficiency. Due to the nature of our commitment and the time-sensitive nature of notarial acts, we regret to inform our clients that we are unable to offer refunds once services have been rendered. Additionally, please note that each notary appointment has a strict time limit of 20 minutes. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a streamlined and punctual notarization process. For any concerns or inquiries, please contact us promptly. Thank you for choosing our mobile notary services.

Thank you for considering our notary services. Our team takes great pride in offering high-quality and reliable service to ensure that all of your legal documents are handled with the utmost care. We are dedicated to providing efficient processing of your paperwork and can assure you that all of your notary obligations will be handled with the highest level of professionalism and accuracy.

While we are unable to provide legal advice, we are always available to assist you and provide support wherever necessary. Our goal is to help you accomplish your objectives with confidence and triumph. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you and provide you with exceptional notary service. Should you require any further information or wish to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for considering our services.

As a mobile notary public service, we strive to provide professional and reliable notarization assistance to our valued clients. Please be aware of the following disclaimer and cancellation policy:

1. Availability: Our notary services are subject to the availability of our notaries. While we make every effort to accommodate your preferred time and location, unforeseen circumstances may affect scheduling.

2. Location Changes: Any changes to the agreed-upon notary location must be communicated and confirmed in advance. We will do our best to accommodate changes, but it’s essential to notify us promptly.

3. Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we kindly request a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a cancellation fee.

4. Late Arrivals: Clients are encouraged to be punctual for scheduled appointments. Delays beyond 15 minutes may require rescheduling to ensure the notary’s commitment to other appointments.

5. Legal Requirements: The notary reserves the right to refuse services if the client or documents do not meet legal requirements or if there are concerns about the authenticity of the request.

By engaging our mobile notary services, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in this disclaimer and cancellation policy. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.