Posted by James Frick on 5/17/06 8:29am
Msg #120396

Regarding Use of Notarial Certificates

In my work, I frequently use notarial certificates, which I attach to the back of the documents that I am notarizing. My question is, if there is more than one area of the document that needs to be notarized for the same signer, do I need to attach a certificate for each signature that I am notarizing, or will one certificate cover every signature made by the same person on a single document?

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 5/17/06 8:39am
Msg #120398

"In my work, I frequently use notarial certificates"....so what have you been doing with these frequently used notarial certificates in the past? A sincere question?

Reply by Anonymous on 5/17/06 8:44am
Msg #120403

Have only been a notary since October, so experience is limited. First time I have run across this kind of situation....

Reply by James Frick on 5/17/06 8:46am
Msg #120405

Previous message was from me - didn't mean to post as ANONYMOUS.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 5/17/06 8:50am
Msg #120406

Not to worry it doesn't bother me when someone posts anon, I could care less, I can respond to you if your name is Jack Sh??, Jack Danie?? or Didley Squat...makes no matter...

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/17/06 8:53am
Msg #120407

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/ntryfaq.html

Call the number here if you have questions like this to make sure you are on the right track.

Reply by Anonymous on 5/17/06 11:08am
Msg #120454

Thank YOU Brenda for the thoughful response.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/17/06 11:14am
Msg #120455

You are welcome, James. Like Becca once said, we can be long time notaries and still need to do some major study on our notarial rules before we go out.

I feel Texas rules are some of the most sensible out there. I hope NY is the same.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/17/06 8:41am
Msg #120401

In New York things are different, however, in Texas:

You asked:
**if there is more than one area of the document that needs to be notarized for the same signer, do I need to attach a certificate for each signature that I am notarizing, or will one certificate cover every signature made by the same person on a single document?**

My answer: Only duplicate the notary certificate already on the document or follow directions from the title company or lender as long as they comply with your state notarial law.

You cannot decide in Tx which certificate to attach or how to word it without referring to the statutory education manual provided by the state.

Refer to your NY notarial materials or call the state office which issued your commission.

Reply by Gerry_VT on 5/17/06 3:01pm
Msg #120525

Before getting to your question, let me point out that EVERY time you fill in those sections of an instrument that contain the words "acknowledged to me" (or similar) you are creating an acknowledgement certificate, whether it is on a separate sheet of paper, or shares a piece of paper with some of the instrument. Likewise, whenever you fill out the section of an instrument that contains words similar to "sworn before me" you are completing a jurat, whether it is on a separate page or not.

I don't know if it would be legal to use one acknowledgement certificate to cover more than one instrument, but even if it is, I don't think it would be a very good idea. The reason is that just because the instruments are together while you are at the signing, that does not mean they will always be together. Suppose, for example, one instrument was to be sent to the county to be recorded, and another was to be retained by the lender; which one would the acknowledgement certificate be kept with?