By an Experienced Notary Who’s Seen It All

When it comes to notarizations, precision matters. Legal compliance matters. And most importantly—your notary needs to understand their state law.

As a notary with over a decade of hands-on experience in both residential and commercial transactions, I cannot overstate how often I hear from signers who are frustrated by notaries who show up disorganized, scattered, or worse—uncommunicative. I hear comments like:

 “I’ve never been put under oath before.This is crazy.”
“They didn’t explain anything. I felt rushed and confused.”
“They never even asked for ID, just stamped and left.”

This is not just poor customer service—this is a legal liability.

Why Compliance with State Law Isn’t Optional

Each state has its own notary statutes, and those statutes dictate how documents must be notarized to hold up under legal scrutiny. When a notary doesn’t know their state law—or chooses to cut corners—it puts the entire transaction at risk.

One area that is consistently mishandled by untrained or careless notaries is the jurat. In many states, a signer must be placed under oath or affirmation before signing a document that requires a jurat. This isn’t just formality—it’s the law.

If that step is skipped and a signer later commits fraud, guess who’s liable?
The notary.

If the case goes to court, and there is no record or evidence that the signer was sworn in, the notarization may be challenged, thrown out, or worse—lead to serious consequences for the hiring party and the notary involved.

What Title Companies, Lenders, and Signing Services Should Be Asking

Before hiring a notary, ask:
✅ Do they know your state’s notary laws inside and out?
✅ Do they always administer oaths for jurats?
✅ Are they organized, punctual, and communicative with signers?
✅ Do they have a track record of professionalism and accuracy?

As someone who has built a reputation for being thorough, legally compliant, and attentive to the smallest of details, I work to uphold the integrity of every signing. I communicate with signers ahead of time. I arrive prepared and on time. And I follow state law to the letter—because protecting the signer and the hiring party is my top priority.

Professionalism Is Not Just About Personality—It’s About Legal Protection

Don’t settle for less. The notary you hire is not just a signature collector—they are a legal safeguard.

When you’re ready to work with a notary who brings clarity, compliance, and confidence to every signing, Sonata Notary Services is here for you.