Posted by Stephanie_CA on 4/12/07 10:30am
Msg #184803

Question for Massachusettes Notary

I would think that any Notary requires notarial wording before signing and placing one's seal.
Is this in fact Notary Law in Massachusettes?

Thank you,
Stephanie

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 4/12/07 1:09pm
Msg #184822

Yes, a notary public has to add the correct certificate unless if the document already has it written. If a document has the notarial certificate (jurat, acknowledgement, etc.) already typed out and it is advisable that the document not be altered, then the notary public may use whatever form is already on the document.

I have seen many notaries public in Massachusetts just stamp and sign. This is incorrect. This is wrong because how would a third party know what type of notarial act was administered? Was it a sworn statement? Was it an acknowledgement? What?

So yes, the correct wording has to accompany a notary's seal.