frequently asked questions

Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by a federal agency or certified by an American or foreign consul. An apostille certifies the document(s), so the document can be recognized in foreign countries.

 Signing agents are notaries public, who usually have experience and/or training concerning the proper execution of loan documents and are hired by mortgage companies, escrow companies, title companies, and signing services to identify loan documents, obtain the necessary signatures, and in some cases deliver the documents to the borrower.  

A notary is a person who is authorized by the state of Iowa to verify the signatures of everyone who signs a important document. Notaries ensure that all signers are who they say they are, are aware of the contents of the document being signed, and are not signing against their will. 

 With remote notarization, a signer personally appears before the Notary at the time of the notarization using audio-visual technology over the internet instead of being physically present in the same room. Remote online notarization is also called webcam notarization, online notarization or virtual notarization.  

 No. A notary does not have the authority to prepare legal documents. As a notary, your only duty is to perform the notarial act and complete the certificate. See Iowa Code section 9B.25. 

The best forms of identification should include a picture, a physical description, a signature for us to compare and be issued by a governmental agency. A valid driver’s license, passport, school or work identification are acceptable.

YES. If the notary certificate states “subscribed and sworn/affirmed to me...,” then it must be signed in the notary’s presence.

No. Notaries are not responsible for the contents of documents they notarize. Notaries certify the identity of the signers & ensure important documents are not forged. Once Notarized documents are legally binded  The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.