Posted by Anonymous on 3/27/06 5:52pm
Msg #108897

Help

Hello,
I have a gentlemen that handed me an emailed letter in regards to his grandson. The letter which was written by his son in law states that the grandson is not allowed to travel outside of the United States. Now the gentlemen wants me to notorize his signature on the peice of paper as a witness to this letter. I told him that I could not and that I would have to attach a California All Purpose Acknowledgment Form. Now since the letter was emailed and not signed by the father (he is out of state) can I still notorize just this gentlemens signature as being a witness to this letter? and can the father take that same letter and have his signature notirzed when he signs it?

Reply by PL on 3/27/06 6:09pm
Msg #108900

It was emailed? By whom? Just because the old man says it is the kid's father does not make it true. I would tell him to go to the local court house and have it done by a county official. My guess at that point will be that he does not do that and he tries to find another notary who won't think it out. One other thing I see you're from Alaska, what makes you think that in the other 49 states there would be someone who is familiar enough with Alaska Notary law to help you. If it comes to it, call Juneau and ask the state. Good Luck.

Reply by Anonymous on 3/27/06 6:31pm
Msg #108905

Actually I from California, but for some reason my profile says alaska. I've changed it 5 times and it still says alaska. And I personally know the father so he gave me the heads up that I should be receiving this emailed letter.

Reply by PAW on 3/28/06 7:19am
Msg #108986

It makes no difference to the notary if the statements are true or not, unless the notary knows they are not true. It is up to the signer to certify the contents of the document. A notary notarizes the **signature** of the signer who appears before them. As long as the proper notarial procedures are followed (signer identity validation, signs under their own free will, and, if a jurat, is placed under oath to swear or affirm to the facts of the document), then a notary can perform the appropriate act, even on a document that is an email. Once a wet signature is placed on the email, it becomes an original document, just like any printed affidavit, or other statement being made by someone.

After the grandfather signs (and you notarize his signature), then that same document, or a different one, would need to be signed by the father in front of a notary and notarized. Then the recipient of the document(s) would determine whether or not the documents are acceptable.

Reply by Anonymous on 3/28/06 10:20am
Msg #109052

Now in this case would I use an Acknowledgement or a Jurat? All I'm doing is acknowledging his signature not making him swear to the truthfullness of the document...right? Cause remember he in fact did not write the letter but is only signing as a witness to this letter being written by his son-in-law.

Reply by Blueink_CA on 3/28/06 12:08pm
Msg #109073

Like Paw said, you are notarizing a signature, not a document. Grampa needs to write his own statement, whatever that may be, and then you may acknowledge his signature on THAT statement.