In most states, the notary can also act as a witness, as long as the witness' signatures are NOT being notarized. (You can't notarize your own signature.) Some self-proving wills and POAs require the notary to not only notarize the principal's signature, but also the signature(s) of the witness(es).
Always check you state handbook and statutes to be sure.
Louisiana is the only state that I know of that does not allow the notary to act as a witness on real estate transaction documents. I don't know if they can act as a witness on any other instrument or if it is a general rule or statute that an LA Notary Public cannot act as witness on any instrument or document where they are signing as an official witness (notarizing). |
