Posted by Kirod9jx on 6/25/06 12:55am
Msg #128078

Advice on Notarizing for Sister-in Law

Hello everybody,
Just wanted to get thoughts from my fellow Notaries. My sister in law (my husbands sister) and her hubby are planning to adopt again. Since the first adoption I have become a notary and can help them out with the many forms that need to be notarized. My question is, should I do it? I have read the Florida manual and it says you cannot notarize for spouses, sister/brother or parents. So it should be ok for a sister in law? Of course in an odd way, i benefit from gaining a nephew/niece. i will be calling the SOS office on Monday for clarification. I would hate to delay their process in anyway by notarizing for them.
Just wanted everyones thoughts.
Thanks a bunch!

Reply by PAW on 6/25/06 5:38am
Msg #128089

You should be okay because it is not an immediate blood relative and you don't have a direct benefit from the transaction. Granted, you have a wonderful indirect benefit, but I don't think that's what the legislature had in mind when they drew up the statute.

The preceding is a personal opinion of the author and is not to be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 6/25/06 7:14am
Msg #128092

I usually do adoption notarizations pro bono. Why not ...

... find another local notary who will notarize for your sister in law as a professional courtesy to you?

Many of us support the adoption process (and other things that we feel are for the public good) by notarizing the documents for the parents-to-be at no charge.

If a fellow notary were to call me and ask to have a family member's document notarized I'd be happy to do it.