Posted by ajd/pa on 8/6/13 1:34pm
Msg #479396

general notary work and bringing your own witnesses

Got a call from a gentleman this morning for some general notary work for later this week. He said that it was a pre-nup and he needed to have 2 witnesses. Then he tells me that since this is a confidential matter, he was wondering if I could bring the witnesses. He does not want any family or neighbors to know what the document is. I told him that people don't need to know the document, they just need to witness the signitures. My question for the group is this: if you are bringing either 1 or both of the witnesses, do you charge extra and about how much? I don't want to take advantage of the man, but if I have to bring an extra person with me, I think I need to charge an additional fee.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 8/6/13 1:38pm
Msg #479398

I have provided a witness at the request of the borrowers

and charged a $25 fee for the witness's time.

Could you suggest meeting in a public place and asking someone there to witness the signatures?

I often meet people at my local Barnes & Noble and am able to find witnesses pretty easily.

Reply by ajd/pa on 8/6/13 1:46pm
Msg #479399

Re: I have provided a witness at the request of the borrowers

If we can't come up with someone else (besides my husband), I may suggest meeting somewhere close by to find the random witness. I have found witnesses like that also, it just depends how he wants to handle this (not wanting people to know what the doc is).

Reply by Teresa/FL on 8/6/13 2:30pm
Msg #479404

Does PA law allow you to both witness and notarize a doc?

FL law allows it and this will work as long as the witness signatures do not need to be notarized also.

It is harder to find witnesses in a public place if they also need to provide ID to have their signatures notarized.

Reply by ajd/pa on 8/6/13 9:42pm
Msg #479476

Re: Does PA law allow you to both witness and notarize a doc?

I did ask him that (if I could notarize and witness) and he said he was told no. He did say he can get his son to be a witness, I did make sure that his son is not a direct benificary (sorry if I spelled that wrong) but now I read about a witness not being related at all and I will make sure that it is ok for the son to sign.
I guess I can charge extra for this one, even if my husband is the witness (he says his time is worth something too). Does not sound like this guy wants to sign in public place at all. I am still trying to figure out who I could use as second witness....

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/6/13 3:00pm
Msg #479405

I don't try and get witness once at site. Many people are

opposed to getting involved. Then you are walking around trying to drum up volunteers. Plus it can take additional time, which I don't have.

I set up witnesses to meet us at the location and the signer is obliged to pay them $30 each for their trouble (cash). I charge a fee for setting it up, plus my regular travel fee plus signatures. I have never had anyone object or find the price overwhelming. They readily agree and off we go.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/6/13 3:19pm
Msg #479408

Yes, I've provided witnesses for Wills. Per the attorney instructions, the attorney I notarize for requires that the witnesses not be related to the signers by blood, marriage or adoption. That's HER rule. Many times, the signers cannot get friends or neighbors to witness because of the witnesses work schedules. I network regularly with several notaries and have called them to be witnesses. They charge a nominal travel fee (usually $20). I personally do not charge the signers any money to arrange for the witnesses.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/6/13 4:49pm
Msg #479411

If for an attorney I would not charge to arrange

witnesses. But for general notary work sometimes you have to call around for a while to find someone to fit it into their schedule. Then I do charge.

This job is so full of variables.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 8/6/13 8:05pm
Msg #479468

If there's a pre-nup involved, it's usually because of $$$ or property, isn't it? Therefore, yes, charge the guy. You have to realize there are a lot of very very wealthy folks out there who are that way because they've pinched every penny possible, and/or chiseled-down costs wherever they could. I have worked for several of these millionaires over the years, doing their accounting or managing the office. Besides, if she's the one with the $$, he'll get it from her, whether she realizes it or not.

Reply by Eve/VA on 8/7/13 11:19am
Msg #479519

My clients provide the docs and witnesses.

And in this area I've found strangers are reluctant to be witnesses.