Posted by kcnotary_KS on 12/21/04 12:38am
Msg #14218

Correcting forms

Did a signing for seller today. Documents were originally drawn in Nevada for a property in Nevada. Hence the wording for notary signature "State of Nevada, County of Clark" had been typed on the Title. RE Agent said I should just cross out the state and county and handwrite my state and county, so I did and initialed it. Is this valid?

Also, the Title Affidavit (seller), was merely a faxed copy. RE agent says it's fine, only need for funding. I also noticed on a couple of escrow instructions, not all three sellers name and signature were listed but those docs didn't have anything to do with me. It did not need to be notarized. I brought it to my client's attention and it was up to them to fix it.

Seller had all the documents and they contacted me to "notarized documents" at their house. I did the job I was paid to do, right?

One more question, when the notarial part of the document is on the second page by itself (I guess this is called a "loose certificate") can anyone suggest the correct wording to go on the second page to ensure that the seal and notary's signature refers to which document? And do you write this on the top of the page or at the bottom?

Reply by Terri - CA on 12/21/04 12:17pm
Msg #14250

***RE Agent said I should just cross out the state and county and handwrite my state and county, so I did and initialed it. Is this valid? ***

In California, this would be required. The rest of the wording in the certificate would have to adhere to California law as well.

***.. the Title Affidavit (seller), was merely a faxed copy. RE agent says it's fine, only need for funding. ***

Was this a document you were going to notarize? As long as there are original signatures, you could notarize this document, if so required. Otherwise, I would not be concerned with it.

***I also noticed on a couple of escrow instructions, not all three sellers name and signature were listed but those docs didn't have anything to do with me. It did not need to be notarized. I brought it to my client's attention and it was up to them to fix it.***

You were asked to notarize only certain documents, the rest shouldn't have been of concern to you. You were there as a Notary not as a Signing Agent per your comments later in your post. I wouldn't have even looked at any other documents other than the ones I was going to notarize.

***Seller had all the documents and they contacted me to "notarized documents" at their house. I did the job I was paid to do, right?***

***One more question, when the notarial part of the document is on the second page by itself (I guess this is called a "loose certificate") can anyone suggest the correct wording to go on the second page to ensure that the seal and notary's signature refers to which document? And do you write this on the top of the page or at the bottom***

I note at the bottom of both pages "Page 1 of 2" and "Page 2 of 2." Some write at the bottom of page 1, "notary certificate attached." Others would also use an embosser the crimp the two pages together after they have completed the notary certificate.

Whatever you do, make sure you follow your states notarial laws.

Terri
Lancaster, CA