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Notarizing Documents Prepared by Self
- The school requires that parents of the children have their signatures notarized on an Emergency Medical Agreement. Would it be a conflict of interest for me to notarize the form for the parents if I may be the one taking these children to the hospital in an emergency?
- As a loan officer, can I notarize my own documents?
- As a state investigator, can I notarize witness statements obtained in my investigation that may be used in court proceedings?
- In my job I fill out applications for appraisers to get their licenses for upcoming jobs in and out of state. Can I notarize these applications?
The school requires that parents of the children have their signatures notarized on an Emergency Medical Agreement. Would it be a conflict of interest for me to notarize the form for the parents if I may be the one taking these children to the hospital in an emergency?
A notary public who is a party to a transaction, or has a direct or indirect financial and/or beneficial interest in the transaction may not perform the notarial act. Anyone who challenged the Emergency Medical Agreement in a court of law would have to prove that you received a financial and/or beneficial interest from the notarization of such an agreement.
As a loan officer, can I notarize my own documents?
No. A notary public may not perform a notarial act where the notary will benefit directly from the transaction relating to the instrument any commission, fee, advantage, right, title, interest, property or other consideration in excess of the authorized notary fees.
As a state investigator, can I notarize witness statements obtained in my investigation that may be used in court proceedings?
It has for a long time been a common practice that investigators in state and federal governmental agencies conducting investigations have had to obtain written statements from witnesses that have to be notarized. Just because the notarized witness statements result in the issuance of an “official decision” does not mean that these investigators/notaries received directly or indirectly from the notarized witness statements any commission, fee, advantage, right, title, interest, property or other consideration in excess of the authorized notary fees. The attorneys in your agency can advice whether you have any “vested interest” in the notarized witness statements obtained from your investigations.
In my job I fill out applications for appraisers to get their licenses for upcoming jobs in and out of state. Can I notarize these applications?
In order for the notary public to ethically perform the duties of office, it is essential that the notary be an impartial party or “disinterested” in the transaction. A notary public who is a party to a transaction, or has a direct or indirect financial and/or beneficial interest in the document no matter how small may not perform the notarization of the document.
Legal disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We do not claim to be attorneys and we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. You should always seek the advice of a licensed attorney for any legal matters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss, or consequential loss, out of or in connection with the use of the information contained on any of the American Association of Notaries website pages. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their state’s notary authorities or attorneys if they have legal questions.