Posted by Roger_OH on 8/30/08 11:00am
Msg #262721

Quick question for Florida notaries...

I got a call this morning from a couple requesting to notarize their signatures on an original Florida marriage license. Is this pretty much just a straight notarization? Anything unusual about the doc?

Thanks!

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/30/08 11:40am
Msg #262726

Roger, Why? I don't get it.

The signatures of the bride and groom are authenticated by the clerk when the license is issued. The space on the license that is set aside for a notary would be for the Florida notary that performed the ceremony in Florida.

Reply by Roger_OH on 8/30/08 12:08pm
Msg #262730

So Becca...

Any idea why they would ask to have it notarized here? Maybe they think it has to be notarized by someone before they can use it?

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/30/08 12:10pm
Msg #262731

Re: So Becca...

I agree with Becca on this. It makes no sense. You need to ask whoever is asking you to notarize it why they need it.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/31/08 12:50pm
Msg #262804

Re: Roger, Why? I don't get it.

Becca
I had a couple bring their license to me, the bride had picked it up at the clerk of the court's office, the groom wasn't with her. So they both came to me and signed it in front of me, and I then notarized their signatures for the application, and later that month I performed the ceremony (that was the couple who showed up at my home early in the day and I was still in my night attire).

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/30/08 12:15pm
Msg #262732

I don't do weddings...but if I understand the procedure

correctly - the license is issued by the Clerk of the Court - that license becomes the marriage certificate once it's signed, witnessed and notarized...that certificate is then filed back with the Clerk of the Court (the filing of which, by the way, is the notary's responsibility)...by notarizing that license you are certifying that you performed the marriage ceremony (I think)...and if true, then it's invalid because you don't have the authoriity to perform marriages in Ohio...

So, IMO..no..you can't help them - and I'm sure Becca will fix me if I'm wrong...<G>

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/30/08 12:49pm
Msg #262738

Yep. You got it, Linda, but...

The certificate does not require witnesses and if the ceremony was performed by an ordained minister it does not require notarization only the signature, name and address of the minister.

It almost sounds to me like the couple is asking Roger to marry them. I think the couple is very confused.

Feel free to give me a call if you still have questions, Roger.

Reply by Roger_OH on 8/30/08 7:48pm
Msg #262772

Thanks guys - it turned out to be...

just the APPLICATION for a marriage certificate.

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/31/08 9:15pm
Msg #262836

Roger, thanks for letting us know what it was all about.

They must have been getting their license through the mail. A process I am not fully informed about, but know of a few officiants that seem to make a tidy bit from offering this service. I know what I will be doing on Tuesday.