Posted by dc_oh on 8/16/05 3:56pm
Msg #59452

Now I'm worried.....

I had a friend ask me to notarize a court document for her today. No big deal, I had my stamp with me. She swore to the statements and signed. Then I notarized it. Pretty simple, right? THEN, she tells me that nothing in the document is accurate and she is just signing it so the father of her child can't have visitation rights!! I notarized her signature NOT knowing the statements were false. Can I be liable?

Reply by newlysmomva on 8/16/05 3:58pm
Msg #59454

Not much of a friend. I really don't know, but if you swore under oath that you didn't know previously, I think you should be all right. I certainly wouldn't consider her a friend after that!

Reply by dc_oh on 8/16/05 4:01pm
Msg #59457

I definately will think twice before notarizing a document for someone I know again!

Reply by Sara-NV on 8/16/05 4:08pm
Msg #59460

Jurat or Acknowledgment?

Was it a jurat? Did you put your friend under oath? Or an acknowledgement?

Reply by dc_oh on 8/16/05 4:11pm
Msg #59463

Re: Jurat or Acknowledgment?

It was a jurat and I did put her under oath.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 8/16/05 4:11pm
Msg #59465

Your friend is the one who did wrong. She swore to her statements and signed. You found out after the fact. She perjured herself. It is not our job to verify each detail in the doc. Prior to notarization we scan the doc for possible fraud. We place the person under oath, then notarize. The only thing I would suggest is that you contact the SOS and explain to them what happened. Protect your commission. When you notarized you did not know that the doc had false information in it. Now that you know it is fraudulent you need to make sure that you aren't a party in it. By not notifying the authorities would be morally wrong not to mention the possible legal implications.

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advise. Just a personal opinion.

Reply by Sara-NV on 8/16/05 4:22pm
Msg #59469

Additionally,

I'd make a very thorough notation of what occured in my journal!

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 8/16/05 4:55pm
Msg #59485

Re: Additionally,

Ah crud, I meant to mention that also. Thanks Sara.

Reply by Notarius Dave on 8/16/05 6:23pm
Msg #59499

I doesn't matter as to the truthfulness of the document. SHE is swearing to it, not you. You're fine. Don't sweat it.