Notary Public Indianapolis FAQ

What is a Notary Public?

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The Notary Public in Indianapolis holds a vital role in gaining trust for identifying signers during the execution of documents and other transactions in the State of Indiana. Notaries play a crucial role in ensuring that the correct person is signing a document and personally executing it. They establish the signer's identity using satisfactory evidence as defined by the Indiana Secretary of State. The primary identification methods used by signers include a driver’s license, passport, and military ID.

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Additionally, Notaries in Indiana are instrumental in administering oaths and affirmations for affidavits, court proceedings, and certified notaries for guiding homeowners through complex real estate documents. It's important to distinguish the role of a Notary Public from that of a lawyer, as Notaries in Indiana do not possess legal training and do not provide legal advice, assistance, or document preparation unless they are also an attorney licensed to practice law.

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What is an Indianapolis mobile notary?  How does this work?

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An Indianapolis Mobile Notary Public distinguishes itself from the conventional Notary Public by offering on-location services for enhanced convenience. The term "mobile" specifically denotes travel, and it should not be conflated with online or internet-based Notaries. Mobile Notaries possess the adaptability to travel to various locations and extend their services beyond regular business hours.

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In contrast to the traditional notarization process that necessitates signers to find and visit a Notary Public's office within their designated business hours, the innovation brought by mobile notaries introduces flexibility, convenience, and professionalism. This approach also allows for accommodating special requests, marking a significant shift in the notarization process.

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How much does a notary public cost in Indianapolis, Indiana?

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A Notary Public in Indiana may charge a maximum of $10 per signature* and mobile notaries may charge for travel.  Although the state imposes a maximum of $10 per signature and current federal travel expense, it does not stipulate the fees for supplementary services like courier, printing, rush, after-hours, convenience, parking charges, and shipping services.  With these variables, contact your notary directly for accurate pricing.

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In instances where a Notary offers no additional services and is not mobile, the permissible charge is limited to $10 per signature.

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It's important to note that pricing for real estate documents differs significantly. In Indiana, only highly trained and licensed certified notary signing agents are authorized to notarize real estate documents. Given their additional training and higher insurance costs, they charge more than a general notary.  Usually, they charge per document and not per signature. For these reasons, most retail stores and financial institutions do not offer real estate document notarization services.

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How Do I Prepare for the Notary Public?

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To be prepared for your notarization, please make sure your paperwork is complete but do not sign or date ANY documents until you are in front of the Notary. You must also be sure to have a government-issued photo ID as proof of who you are to hand to the Notary. (See below)

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Clean Workspace - Quiet Work Area  -  and Pets. 

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You have important legal documents that need to be finalized.  It makes it much easier if we have a quiet, clean work area to spread our documents for all signatures and notaries needed. If you have dogs please lock them up before your appointment time.  Our notaries love dogs but dogs can be protective when you least expect it.  It does not matter how much you love or think you know your dog.  They love you too and will always choose to protect you even when you see no noticeable danger.  We all love our children but the adults just need a few minutes of quiet time to complete our business.  Thank you for your understanding! 

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Each signer must have at least one acceptable form of identification that is Not expired longer than 3 years. If no ID is available then you may provide a "credible witness" - a third party with no beneficial interest in the documents, who personally knows the signer and who has at least one acceptable ID.  Photocopy of any ID is not acceptable.

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• A driver’s license or identity card issued by any state;

• A U.S. passport or an officially recognized passport of a foreign country; 

• A U.S. military identification card;

• An identity card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe; or

• At least one current document issued by the federal government or a state, county, or other local government that contains the person’s photograph

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Do I need to have a witness present?

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Your documents may require one or two individual witnesses.

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You should be prepared to have your required witnesses available

during our appointment.  A witness can be any third-party person

with no beneficial interest and not related to the signer.  Think friend or neighbor. 

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You can see if you need any witnesses if there are signature lines

on your documents with the word "Witness".

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Witness Requirements:

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1.  Over the age of 18

2.  Not a benefactor or directly related to the signer

3.  Has a valid photo ID as listed above.

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What are your business hours?

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Express Notary Plus operates from M - Th 8am - 8pm, |  Fri 8am - 5pm, |  Sat 9am - 4pm, |  Sun 10am - 3pm.  After-hour requests and holidays are available with additional service fees.  Just contact us at (317)747-3025

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Why Do I Need to Get a Document Notarized?

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Certain documents in the State of Indiana must undergo notarization to attain legal validity. This requirement arises in cases where an oath is necessary before execution, as well as for real estate documents. Additionally, various other documents, including trusts, deeds, power of attorney, school field trip forms, and affidavits, mandate notarization. Some documents undergo notarization voluntarily, serving the purpose of confirming the proper execution and identity of the involved parties.

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In certain situations, especially when personal appearance is not feasible, businesses and entities may request notarized signatures. This practice instills confidence in the proper identification of the signer and ensures that they personally executed the documents rather than relying on a proxy in their presence.

 

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Can I Notarize Anything I Want?

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Put simply, in the State of Indiana, nearly all documents have the potential to undergo notarization. However, certain documents may be ineligible for notarization if they do not meet the specific legal requirements set by Indiana law.

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To qualify for notarization, a document must meet several basic requirements. The foremost and most critical requirement is that the document must require a signature from the individual seeking notarization. Items that do not necessitate signatures, such as photographs, cannot be notarized, as the primary duty of notaries is to verify identities and authenticate signatures.  

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Can I be refused Service by a Notary Public?

 

A notarial officer may refuse to notarize a document if the officer is not satisfied that:

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1)  the individual executing the document is competent or,

2)  the individual's execution of the documents is being done knowingly or voluntarily,

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Under specific circumstances, a notary may choose to decline to notarize a document for a member of the public, if the individual fails to meet the identification requirements or if the document is ineligible for legal notarization. Furthermore, if the person is unable or unwilling to provide payment for notarization, the notary is not obligated to offer free services.

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Provided that all requirements are met and payment is offered for the services, the notary public is legally bound to provide their notarization services. Notaries serve the public, and failure to fulfill their duties as public servants may result in fines and the revocation of their commission.

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Are you a Notario Publico?

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No!  Although the direct translation to Spanish is Notario Publico, Indiana notaries are not referred to as "Notario Publicos." The responsibilities associated with such a title are akin to those of a lawyer and are not connected to the role and duties of an Indiana Notary.

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It is crucial not to conflate the two, as they represent distinct titles with entirely different responsibilities. In fact, in Indiana, it is illegal for a Notary Public to identify themselves as a Notario Publico.