HUCKLEBERRY NOTARY

Who we are and what we do--Huckleberry Notary Bonding.

We often receive calls asking, “What do you do?” With this question asked so frequently, we want to share with you what goes on daily in our office.  Our main purpose is to help people become educated notaries public.  Each week our office receives over 2000 phone calls, processes over 2,000 pieces of mail, manufactures over 500 notary seals, and electronically processes 1,000 notary applications.

 

            Prospective notaries call or fax our offices and request a notary application, mailed to you the day you request it. We also offer the convenience of completing the application online through our website. This cuts the notary application processing time in half.   Once the application is completed, we double check it making sure all necessary information is provided.  If it is, it is entered into our database immediately and electronically transferred to the state within 24 hours.  If the application is incorrect or missing information, it is still entered into our database. A letter is sent advising the applicant of the error, asking for necessary corrections or additional information.  We take care of all the details! 

 

            All mail is entered into our database and processed daily.  Additionally, we download information daily from the various state departments, enabling us to verify the status of your new or renewal notary appointment when you call.

 

            The applicant will normally receive the commission no later than 14 business days from our receipt of the completed forms.  Once our computers are updated with your commission number and expiration date, we immediately manufacture your notary seal in out in-house stamp and seal department, and process all other items ordered.

 

            We also serve  notaries by holding seminars throughout the year.  Our staff is busy scheduling new and renewing notaries in classes, enabling you to better serve the public, confident in your own knowledge of Florida notary laws and procedures.

 

            Our mission statement says, “Our success and our future are based on helping clients become notaries public and striving to exceed their expectations.”  Our quality vision states that “Taking care of the customer is everyone’s job.”  We take responsibility for doing it right the first time, creating a positive work environment, always thinking ahead, and asking ourselves-how can we more effectively and efficiently serve our clients?

 

            Thank you for letting us meet all of your notary bonding and education needs.  We’re here for you!

Notary Law Review

As a notary public, you have a responsibility to the public you serve.  Obtaining notary education through seminars or home study courses and adhering to sound notary public practices will protect you from possible liability due to an improperly executed act.  The following are a few basics for performing a perfect notarization.

 

1. Obtain proper identification from all document signers.  Every document notarized must clearly state that you personally know the signer, or if not, what form of identification you used to prove signer’s identity. Detail ID numbers, type, and issuing state.  For example, Drivers License#____________________, or check personally known.

 

2. Always witness the act of a person signing the document when notarizing an affidavit.  The wording for your jurat on the document states that the document was sworn and subscribed before you.  A document requiring an acknowledgment may be signed previously, but the person making acknowledgment must personally appear before you to make the acknowledgment.

 

3. Florida

   notary law prohibits you from performing any notarial act for your spouse, parent, child, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.  However, you may perform a marriage ceremony for any relative, including parents and children.

 

4. Remember to review the document for blank spaces.  DO NOT NOTARIZE A DOCUMENT unless it is complete.  Blanks may be lined through, or N/A placed in the blanks, if necessary.  As a notary you are responsible for document content, but you must scan the document to gain a clear understanding of what is required, who must sign, and to determine that your signer understands the intention of the document and is signing willingly.  Date of document must not be later than the date notarized.

 

5. You may not notarize a document in which you have any financial interest.

 

6. If you are an officer of a corporation, you may not notarize documents pertaining to the corporation.  An employee that is not an officer of the corporation may notarize documents for the corporation.

 

7. Always sign and date a document in the appropriate notarial certificate area, and stamp your seal below your signature.  If space does not permit this, stamp your seal to the left or right, as space allows.  Do not stamp over text or signatures.  If you do not impress your stamp below your signature, you must print your name below your signature.

 

8. The maximum fee you can charge for notarial service in the State of

   Florida

   is $10, unless you are performing a marriage.  The maximum fee for performing a marriage is $20.  You are not required to charge a fee.

 

9. Most documents leaving the country must go through the Secretary of State’s office in

   Tallahassee

   for an Apostille, which is a certificate of authenticity required by most foreign countries.  Please call 850-245-6945 for details on proper procedures to take for documents leaving the state, especially if they are intended for another country.

 

10. A notary may not notarize a document for an individual who does not speak or understand the English language unless the document is first translated into a language the signer understands.

 

11. When performing any notarial act for a visually impaired individual, the notary must read the document to the individual prior to executing the document, and ensure the signer completely understand the intent of the document to be notarized.

 

12. Maintain a record book of all notarial acts performed.  Although it is not required by law in the State of

    Florida

    , it is strongly recommended by the Governor’s Office.

 

13. Seek out notary education through a Florida-based notary education company such as Huckleberry Notary Bonding.