What to bring to a notary

Bring these three things

Valid government photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. It has to be current, and it has to show both your photo and your signature.

The document, completely filled in. Every blank filled. A notary can't notarize a document with empty spaces, because someone could add to it afterward.

Anyone else who has to sign. Every person signing in front of the notary needs to be there, with their own photo ID.

Don't sign it before you come in

This is the one that sends people home. You have to sign the document in front of the notary, and that's the whole point. The notary is witnessing your signature, not just stamping a page.

If you've already signed it, we usually can't notarize it. Bring it unsigned.

What a notary can't do

A notary verifies who you are and witnesses you signing. That's the job. A notary cannot:

• Give you legal advice or tell you what a document means
• Help you decide which form to use
• Certify a copy of a birth certificate, passport, or other vital record
• Notarize a document for someone who isn't physically present
• Notarize a document you've already signed elsewhere

If you need advice about what you're signing, talk to a lawyer first.

Do you need witnesses?

Some documents need witnesses on top of the notary, usually wills, some deeds, and certain powers of attorney. The document itself will say. Read it before you come in.

We can usually provide a witness, but call ahead at 732-730-5230 so we can make sure someone's available.

What it costs and how long it takes

Come in during store hours, no appointment. Most notarizations take a few minutes. Call for pricing.

One more thing, if you rent a mailbox

Setting up a private mailbox requires USPS Form 1583, which has to be notarized. We have the forms and we notarize them here, so it's one trip instead of two.