Posted by DeeDe/CA on 3/24/10 3:12pm
Msg #328761

Notarize a bank statement and criminal record report

A company is asking me to notarize some bank statements, a criminal record report and social security proof of insurance.

They are for a visa for Panama. The person is currently in Panama and I'm not sure how I would notarize these. I guess I'm figuring I can't but want to see if anyone has ever encountered this before.

Thanks.

Sandi

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/24/10 3:25pm
Msg #328769

Unless you are notarizing somebody's signature on these records, there is nothing you can do... it sounds like they are asking you to certify these records which, as a California notary, you can not do. I would ask them to clarify what it is they want.

Reply by BossLadyMD on 3/24/10 3:26pm
Msg #328770

we notarize signatures only..if the person is can't be in front of me, the answer is simply no. check your state regulations but i dont think its permissible.

Reply by rengel/CA on 3/24/10 3:27pm
Msg #328771

You need to ask yourself

"Is there a signature I am notarizing?" Always remember, no matter what they ask, we can ONLY notarize signatures, not documents.

Perhaps they are asking for you to certify a copy? In CA that's a definite no-no.

You might want to do a refresher read through of your State Notary Handbook.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/forms/notary-handbook-2010.pdf

My .02

Reply by DeeDe/CA on 3/24/10 3:42pm
Msg #328781

Re: You need to ask yourself

Thanks for all of your responses. I knew all of that but thought I might be missing something. I have done only loan docs for the past 3 years and I was just checking with all of you 'experts' to make sure I was correct. Thanks again.

Reply by Notarysigner on 3/24/10 3:52pm
Msg #328785

Re: Not an expert..

You've been in this business longer then me... I will never be able to put in that amount of time to qualify. IMO

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/24/10 6:41pm
Msg #328805

Re: You need to ask yourself

*I have done only loan docs for the past 3 years *

Doing only loans as a notary can certainly skew a notary's view of their work. While I understand many great loan signers have come as a result of getting a commission and getting started with loans, I have always thought that it was short-selling one's notary experience to get only loan signing experience from the beginning. Loan signing can be working by rote and not actually "learning" and understanding the rules.

Reply by Notarysigner on 3/24/10 3:39pm
Msg #328777

This appears to me to be something for I m m i g r a t i o n s

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 3/24/10 4:36pm
Msg #328800

The company may be asking you to notarize certified copies of these docs - though unlikely.
If that's the case, they would have to provide a written statement saying they swear/affirm that these are true copies of the original docs, etc - you'd give them an oath and they'd sign the statement. But that seems like a stretch - that somebody in front of you (not the Panama person, of course, because he/she is in Panama) can attest that these are correct docs as pertain to someone in Panama ... but maybe ....

Reply by Maureen_nh on 3/24/10 10:50pm
Msg #328843

Hi Deede,
You are right to be concerned.
Is anyone going to appear before you?
If not, no go, plain and simple.