FAQs

What Kind of Identification can I bring?

Per Texas law, if a signer is unknown to a notary, he/she must show proof of identity using a signed valid unexpired government-issued photo identification card:

State-issued driver's license
State-issued identification card
U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State
U.S. military ID
State, county, and local government IDs
Valid Driver’s License or ID Card issued in Mexico or Canada
Valid Foreign Passport (issued outside of USA) that has a stamp from the Citizenship and Immigration Services
Inmate Identification, if the signer is currently an inmate, issued by the state of Texas Department of Corrections (TDC)

Invalid forms of identification:

Credit Cards
Gym Identification Cards
Medicare Cards
Membership Club Cards
Permanent resident card, or "green card," issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services*

Social Security Cards
Student Identification Cards
Work Identification Badges
Driver’s License without Photo ID including a temporary license
Marriage or Birth Certificates

All identification cards must contain a photo, physical description, signature, and serial number.

Miss Notary Public will NOT provide services if the signer does not have valid and up-to-date identification and is unable to furnish witnesses with valid and unexpired identification to verify the signer’s identity. The entire verification process helps deter the fraudulent execution of documents.

What are Credible Witnesses?

If a signer is unknown to the notary and is unable to present valid and unexpired identification, the signer may present two credible (uninterested) witnesses, both with valid government-issued identification, per the standards stated above.

Credible Witnesses May NOT:

be named in the signing document, or
gain financial benefit in the signing document.

Does my document need to be notarized in person?

Miss Notary Public does not notarize documents that have been signed outside of our presence.

Can you help me prepare my document?

No. Only attorneys licensed to practice law may prepare or help prepare documents. A notary public is a public servant appointed by a state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. This ensures the integrity of the notary’s position as an impartial and uninterested witness to the signing.

If a signer is physically unable to sign his/her name:

An individual with a disability may sign a document by marking an “X” in front of two credible witnesses.

Please Note:

Miss Notary Public does not notarize incomplete documents (with the exception of the notarial certificate). The signer should ensure any blanks (with exception of the notarial certificate) are filled in, lined though, or marked as “not applicable”.

Can a notary refuse service?

A notary public can refuse services if he or she cannot authenticate the signer’s identity, willingness, or understanding of what is happening at that moment. By law, a notary may not notarize a document in which he or she has a financial interest.

Before you book!

Should a notary from Miss Public Notary arrives at a scheduled location, and

any signer is unable to sign,
the document is not complete,
the document does not provide notarial wording and the signer is unable to further determine which type of certificate they need, or
other questionable circumstances prevail,

you will still be liable for the travel/time fee as agreed when booking the appointment.

Can you prepare or notarize immigration documents?

A notary can notarize documents that require notarization such as an Affidavit of Support, but they may not prepare or file another person’s immigration papers unless he or she is an attorney or a US DOJ accredited representative.

Can you certify copies?

Although a notary public may not certify copies of vital records, such as Birth, Death, or Marriage records, Miss Notary Public will notarize an Affidavit of a Birth, Marriage, or Death.