Frequently Asked Questions

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A notary verifies your identity, awareness of what you’re signing, and your willingness to sign, then witnesses your signature, and completes a notarial certificate for your document.

 A valid government issued ID, the unsigned document, and any required witnesses. Let us know in advance if you need us to provide witnesses.

 A state issued driver’s license or ID card, passport (but not passport card) or other government issued photo ID that is current.

 Yes. For most notarial acts, the document must be signed in the notary’s presence.

No. A notary cannot provide legal advice. You must know what type of notarization your document requires.

No. You must bring a complete document. A notary cannot fill in blanks, draft language, nor provide paperwork. The notary cannot help you complete your forms either verbally or physically.

We charge the state fee of $10 per notarization. A notarization is every time the notary signs, stamps, and dates, after the signer signs. 

Yes. A notary may refuse if the signer lacks proper ID, appears unwilling or unaware, or if the signer is being coerced.
 

 Yes, as long as the notary can communicate directly with the signer and the notarial certificate is in English or a language the notary understands. The signer must demonstrate that they understand the document they are signing
 

We notarize signatures, not documents. In most cases you’ll be signing at the end of the document. It’s actually unlawful for a notary to “notarize” where no signer has signed. 

 Yes. The Notary Stop has referral sources for Remote Online Notarization.

Notarization confirms the identity and willingness of the signer. It does not guarantee the legality or accuracy of the document itself.

In Michigan an expired ID is not acceptable. ID must be current and government issued.However, if you have the expired ID and your renewal slip, we will accept the two of them together.

Yes, as long as the notary can read the ID, and communicate with the signer.

No. You keep your document. 

Since we notaries signatures, not documents, we will notarize on any type of paperwork, except Medallion Signature Guarantees. 

Since we notaries signatures, not documents, we will notarize on any type of paperwork, except Medallion Signature Guarantees. 

The library offers notarization as a public service, which your taxes pay for. They are limited as to what types of documents they will notarize on, because of liability and contestability. The Notary Stop is independently owned and operated by Leslie Hocker, the owner of Mobile Notary of Macomb, and the President of the Michigan Notary Association. 

 Many people first think of the UPS Store or their bank when they need a document notarized. However, those locations typically offer notary service as a side service, and the notary may not always be available.

The Notary Stop specializes in notary services, which means:

• Notaries are regularly available
• Staff are experienced with many types of documents
• You receive faster, more focused service
• We can help guide you through the notarization process

Our goal is to make notarizing your documents quick, accurate, and stress-free.

Many UPS Store locations offer notary services, but availability often depends on whether a notary happens to be on staff that day. This can sometimes require calling ahead or making multiple trips.

At The Notary Stop, notarization is our primary service. That means we focus on providing reliable, professional notary service without the guesswork.

Just call ahead at 810.334.1961 or schedule an appointment online. Your schedule is most important to us. 

Banks sometimes offer free notarization for their customers, but services may be limited to account holders and basic documents, and availability can vary depending on staff.

A dedicated notary office like The Notary Stop focuses entirely on notarization and document services, which means we can assist with a wider range of documents and provide a smoother experience.

 If you're searching for a notary near you, The Notary Stop provides professional notarization services in a dedicated office designed specifically for handling important documents. Whether you considered going to the UPS Store, a bank, or another location, our goal is to make the process simple and convenient.