Posted by Eugene Pigatt on 3/19/07 3:49am
Msg #180533

Authentication of Records

I recently received a request to notarize an affidavit of authenticaton of records for billing from a medical office. I have never notarized this type of documentation before. Can someome tell me what is the process and what am I looking for?

Reply by Ernest__CT on 3/19/07 5:33am
Msg #180537

There should be a notarial certificate / notarial block already on the document. Since it is an affadavit, it'll be a jurat, indicated that the custodian of records swears that (probably!) the records are the complete records and that they are true.

If there is no notarial wording, you must offer the choice of an acknowledgement or a jurat. Deciding for a signer what kind of notarial act to perform either is or could be considered Unauthorized Practice of Law.

There's nothing scary about doing the affidavit itself. Just identify the signer as usual, give the oath / affirmation, have the doc signed, notarize, and collect your fee.

Good luck!

Reply by dickb/wi on 3/19/07 10:59am
Msg #180573

not all affidavits have jurats....i get....

quite a few from title co's that are acknowledgements......

Reply by JanetLA on 3/19/07 11:09am
Msg #180577

not all affidavits have jurats....i get....

But this is not for title companies here. This is strictly MEDICAL RECORDS and I have been doing them for years. There is a specific form that is sent by the person requesting records... Different than the title company affadavits...

Reply by Ernest__CT on 3/19/07 12:31pm
Msg #180599

ALL affidavits, by definition, have jurats.

Check the definition at http://dictionary.law.com to see why.

Granted, there are some documents that have titles with the word "affidavit" in them which have the wording for only an acknowledgement.

Reply by JanetLA on 3/19/07 2:06pm
Msg #180631

Read original question again

Since I just finished law school I really do understand what an affidavit is... I will take the bar soon... In any case, I understand but this question was pertaining to notarizing medical records affidavits... You brought up the title companies. I was not trying to be smart, but rather just point out the specific question. Thanks for the definition though...

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/19/07 3:45pm
Msg #180665

Re: Read original question again

**I will take the bar soon... **

You go girl!

I am very proud for you and your achievement - congratulations.

Reply by JanetLA on 3/19/07 6:43pm
Msg #180704

Re: Read original question again

Thanks...but perhaps congratulations are a bit premature. I think I am all right but we shall see.

Reply by JanetLA on 3/19/07 7:07am
Msg #180548

I do quite a few of these. All the form says is (to summarize) that this person is the custodian of the records, or that there is no record of the patient in quesstion. It is usually only one or two pages. I send the records back to the company requesting most of the time, but once in a while, the signer sends them. I get paid within a couple of weeks, and it is good pay for a quick visit. Never a no-sign, problem docs, etc. Good work when you can get it. Don't worry, it is simple notarization 101. Have a good week, Janet

Reply by Eugene Pigatt on 3/19/07 9:11am
Msg #180558

Thank you for that information.

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/19/07 11:49am
Msg #180586

**Don't worry, it is simple notarization 101.**

As all notarizations are.

All you have to know is basic notarization practices for being a notary and you are good to go.

Sometimes people try to make it a lot harder than it is. If only people could realize that there were notaries before there was any kind of a loan signing certification course they'd become a lot more concerned about notary rules and a lot less involved with what the documents are.

No matter what the notarization certificate is attached to it's the same thing every time for your state's statutory notarial acts. Once you know the few there are you can do them all without depending on a notary board for guidance.

Reply by Janet Sobers on 3/19/07 12:13pm
Msg #180593

Well said. I agree with you 100%. Re This issue: here in Louisiana we do not have a standard form or standard language. We can simply stamp on the existing document or add an acknowledgement, etc on a separate page. Our rules are different, I know but on these medical affadavits it has always been included on the form itself and the medical documents are rarely included. I have only seen it once or twice. By the time they want this form, it is usually just to certify that they have provided all records or that there are not any. Have a good week and thanks to all the smart notaries that give me interesting insight into my job.