Posted by CF on 3/24/10 8:55am
Msg #328697

International adoption notarization question:

do you use an embosser on these documents and your stamp or one or the other? I have a request for an international adoption notarization and I am thinking these should/need to be embossed? What is your common practice? I have never had an adoption request before....if you can believe that. Done a ton of other general notary work...but never an adoption. I have been requested to visit a Dr.s office and notarize their signature on some medical documents....that is part of the international adoption process.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/24/10 9:00am
Msg #328698

I haven't done any international adoptions, but have done many notarizations where the docs are going out of the country. In those instances I use an embosser along with my seal - some countries expect to see an embosser. And in Florida we are allowed to use an embosser along with the seal. The seal (stamp) is the official one.

If you have an embosser and are allowed to use it along with your official seal then I would do so. But, that is my personal preference

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/24/10 11:13am
Msg #328726

I do the same... unless it's a loan package or something to be recorded, I've been using both the official ink seal as well as the embosser. In CA, like FL, we can use the embosser in addition to the ink seal.

Reply by Julie/MI on 3/24/10 9:07am
Msg #328700

I do a lot of these in Michigan....

Different countries have different requirements, believe it or not. Some will not accep tnotarized documents by a notary whose commission expires in one or two years, even if they are compliant with the state's laws.

I always use an embosser, it's the only time I do. I also made sure my embosser says state of michigan, county of macomb and does not take the "acting in _______county" as that has nullified one notarization.

Countries cannot keep track of individual state's requirements, so an embosser is essential.

I'm out of the international adoption business this year as my commission expires next year.

Reply by Roger_OH on 3/24/10 9:17am
Msg #328703

Re: I do a lot of these in Ohio, too...

Go to the physician's office, and handle like any other document. The foreign consulates do like the raised seal, so I do both as well. There are also usually a number of additional agency documents requiring notarized signatures.

Have never understood the "commission expiring within a year" prohibition. As long as the commission was in effect when the sigs were executed, I'd think that's all that would matter, but it's often not the case.

Reply by CF on 3/24/10 9:21am
Msg #328705

Re: I do a lot of these in Michigan....

I did not think about the commission expiration....mine expires in Sept???? I am going to refer the people back to whomever has been helping them out to make sure all the ins and outs of this. I would hate that this would hold up their process...this is a lot more important then some loan docs....if you ask me!!!

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/24/10 9:12am
Msg #328701

In my state of VA, we are required to use a "photographically reproducible" seal, so I use a stamp. I do have an embosser that does not have my commission expiration date on it. I use it IN ADDITION to my stamp when requested, and also for foreign adoptions.

Reply by John/CT on 3/24/10 9:35am
Msg #328710

Re: International adoption notarization ...

I also use both my stamp and embosser. Under the latter, place one of those Avery gold 2-inch, saw-toothed sticky labels on the page first. My clients like this little extra touch.

Reply by Laura_V on 3/24/10 9:41am
Msg #328711

Me, too, John - stamp, gold seal, embosser all used n/m

Reply by Laura_V on 3/24/10 9:49am
Msg #328712

One guess why the 2 year rule

Please put up with me illustrating this concept first.

Think about all the people involved worldwide with the drug industry: clients, mules, drug lords in 3rd world countries: everyone.

I heard on Canadian public radio last fall something that shocked me to my core:
The number of people involved in human trafficking is much larger.
>Children kidnapped and sold for domestic slavery or you know what (shuddering here).
>Babies stolen for well off people who can't get medical approval for an adoption (age, handicap, etc) and don't care or don't want to know where the baby comes from.
>Pregnant women kidnapped for baby and then prostitution for the mum.
>Any age person kidnapped and used for work of various types.

We are SOOOOO lucky to live in North America.

That's why they are being so careful to not adopt out babies from Haiti too quickly. Mafia, etc, jump on these opportunities.


So my guess is that govt agencies in foreign countries want one notary used throughout the entire process. If not that, then at least notaries with commissions still active during the entire 1.5 - 2 year process.

This way it is easier to get and stay in touch with Sec of State offices regarding the notaries, the Apostille workers, etc.


Just too much horrific crime going on. I'm glad these people are so diligent.

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/24/10 10:11am
Msg #328715

Personally, I use an embosser for every notarization. I have never done a notarization where I did not use my embosser. In Florida, the embosser can be used *in addition* to the stamp, but not in place of it.

It gives every document that extra touch; particularly, many older clients expect an embosser, and it takes all of 3 seconds to affix it to the document. If the document will be recorded or photocopied I have an inker that darkens the impression, or I rub the seal with carbon paper.

The fancy foil seals I reserve for special documents, attested copies, and commemorative marriage certificates that I give out to all my couples. I have gold, red, green, and blue foil seals, and use different colors on different documents.

No, these things are not required... many notaries think, "Why go above and beyond the bare minimum?". Personally I think that the embosser is a symbol of the importance of the office; I feel that when the state took away embossers and replaced them with stamps it was almost with the intention of making notaries seem less important.

Reply by Julie/MI on 3/24/10 10:22am
Msg #328719

Most would be shocked on Michigan's no stamp/seal requiremen

We don't have to use a stamp or embosser, Name County/State and date of expiration just needs to be typed or printed.

An embosser is prohibited for use on recordable documents.

H

Reply by SERVICIO on 3/24/10 12:39pm
Msg #328741

that just seems to be a backwoods view at notarizations

next thing you know you just put your thumb print and you don't a notary at all!

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/24/10 12:41pm
Msg #328743

I agree- the concept of a notarial seal dates back centuries n/m

Reply by SERVICIO on 3/24/10 10:24am
Msg #328720

I totally agree with ROBERT! A notary's position is of the upmost importance and our integrity is at stake with every seal impression. I feel that the state taking away the embosser opens more availability for fraud and duplication!

Reply by jba/fl on 3/24/10 12:09pm
Msg #328734

Perhaps you and Robert should mount a project to revitalize

the system?

Reply by SERVICIO on 3/24/10 12:40pm
Msg #328742

Well Robert? I am ready when you are...

GREAT IDEA!

Reply by SERVICIO on 3/24/10 10:19am
Msg #328718

I handle a lot of notarized documents that are used abroad and an embosser is generally view as more legitimate abroad. I don't know why TN quit using the embosser but I did not. I continue to use my embosser because it brings out the quality in my work. I just have to stamp it with blue ink over the embossing. But international documents should be embossed to help take away any question for the recipient of it validity.

Reply by lucky/ca on 3/24/10 2:15pm
Msg #328749

How do you stamp it with the blue over the embossing? How do you put the ink over what you embossed on the page? I am confused and would like to use my embosser in this way.

This is all very helpful as I have not done an international or US adoption but now I know what to do if/when it comes up.

I put my embosser away as it is hard to get it to work, pressing down force, but will bring it out and start using it again. I had to have the first one replaced as it was a bad one and I guess I got frustrated with it all.

Thanks for all the helpful information everyone posted on this subject.

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/24/10 3:08pm
Msg #328758

There are special inkers used to darken embosser impressions .... mine is like a round pre-inked stamp that is just flat and black, but I suppose they make these in blue also. You position it over the seal and press down, and it darkens the impression so that it can be photographically reproduced.

From what I have read on here, California notaries may use an embosser as their official seal only if they darken it in this manner, because the law requires the seal to be photographically reproducible. Embossers are optional in Florida, so inking the impression is optional also, because we have to use the rubber stamp no matter what.

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/24/10 3:09pm
Msg #328759

And they sell these inkers everywhere, probably here on NR n/m

Reply by CF on 3/24/10 6:48pm
Msg #328806

Thanks everyone- I had to decline due to my comm exp. n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/25/10 12:00am
Msg #328853

Only those (whatever kind they are) documents that are leaving the U.S. will I add a gold seal and my embosser imprint.