Posted by Grammyzoom on 7/8/11 8:44am
Msg #389019

Any good stories about jail signings?

If you have any good stories about jail/prison signings please tell us. In all the years I have been doing this I have never accepted a jail signing and have heard that they can go very wrong.

Reply by SouthernOK on 7/8/11 9:43am
Msg #389024

What would you need to sign from jail?

I've yet to be called on this type of job and any examples of documents would be deeply appreciated.

Reply by laurel/nc on 7/8/11 9:50am
Msg #389025

Re: What would you need to sign from jail?

I have notarized POA as well as child custody affidavits from inmates.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/8/11 9:52am
Msg #389027

I've received a couple calls to notarize affidavits

so relatives could get cars out of impound...

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/8/11 5:12pm
Msg #389115

Re: What would you need to sign from jail?

The two signings I did at the jail were Peachtree-type settlements. I think the guy needed money for bail and/or attorney fees. His attorney was in the room with me but the prisoner was behind a cell wall. The attorney had his ID, so that wasn't an issue.

Reply by Notarysigner on 7/8/11 9:51am
Msg #389026

I had a Judge get upset with me at an arraignment of an prisoner ( In a detention center) who didn't have ID. I wouldn't Notarize a Doc for the prisoner's attorney. I told the attorney that he should have been familiar with the notarization process and should have had the prisoner's I.D. for me. The judge agreed, reluctantly.

Reply by MelissaM_FL on 7/8/11 10:27am
Msg #389035

Jail signings do require government issued ID in Florida, however, our Governor's Manual allows us to accept a duly-issued Prison ID. I've done quite a few jail and prison notarizations over the years, and for many reasons. I've had inmates who wanted to complete their estate planning documents while in prison, custody and divorce paperwork notarizations. Several times I've been called out to notarize for one attorney who specialized in personal injury.

Inmates don't cease to have real outside lives just because they are in prison. They have the same problems that non-incarcerated people do. It's just a little tougher for them to get to the UPS store to get things notarized, doncha know?

Reply by NJDiva on 7/8/11 11:08am
Msg #389043

I think it's pretty ironic that...

they have to have an authorized State ID for people in jail (or prison for that matter) when there is not a doubt as to their identity. After all, their identity has already been established FOR us.

Though nothing would surprise me with how criminals will find ways to commit fraud.

Does anyone have an experience with that?

Reply by garland/CA on 7/8/11 10:59am
Msg #389041

might be my last time to go

Recently I got a call from the ex-wife of an inmate in the county jail. She assured me he had ID. We get to the jail and they say it is locked up somewhere and in order to retrieve it she has to request it. To do that she has to show ID, which turned out to be expired by 5 days. They wouldn't take it. So I requested his ID (using my valid ID). Since it takes a few hours, required a second trip to go back. The jail personnel are often as bad as the inmates. They don't escort you anywhere, just send you "through several double doors" that lock behind you. Tell you to go find a room to sit in and wait for the inmate to be brought down. Finally he comes down with a guard. The guard starts leaving the room and says he'll ba back in a few minutes when we are done. I jump up to say, "where are you going?" He says "be right back" and locks us in the room together alone! I never sat back down again, just stood in alert position until we were done. The inmate said, "I am making you nervous...". "Yes, don't take it personally, it is just the situation." Guard comes back and laughs the whole thing off when the inmate says, "I think she thought I was going to kill her". No support or understanding from the guard.

IF I did it again I would have been more assertive in insisting the guard stay in the room. I also should have gotten his name and reported him. No one searched my briefcase before I entered. I could have passed anything to this guy if I had wanted to. Other jail signings I have done have been better than this, but they are all unpleasant in one way or another.

Next time I get a call I most likely will pass on it.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/8/11 5:09pm
Msg #389114

I've done two and they went fine...but what you have to remember is that you may have to wait...and wait...and wait. The jail doesn't just waltz the prisoner out to you. It can take a half hour or more before they get him out. Their is only a thin slot to push the paper through so it's not likely the prisoner can sign your journal.

The other thing is that in our area, it can be difficult finding a place to park, so prepare to have to walk a ways. (it hurts to walk several blocks in high heels!)

Otherwise....just the parking and waiting are the only issues. Plan accordingly....and CHARGE accordingly.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/8/11 5:29pm
Msg #389117

Haven't done any jail notarizations, but I have officiated at weddings at the Okeechobee Correctional Institute.

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/8/11 6:08pm
Msg #389122

I've done jail notarizations - *to me* they are PITA.....I stopped handling them 2 years ago and have NO desire to ever to them again. Now, I just refer callers to LaShon James-Major, the owner of www.inmatenotary.com

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/9/11 10:02am
Msg #389159

I used to do them at Santa Rita Jail (in Pleasanton, CA) quite often. Most tragic story I heard was after I notarized a signature on a POA for a young man. About a year later his girlfriend called me up to see if I have a copy. Apparently, the young man had a brain hemmorage. She neither kept nor recorded the POA.