Frequently Asked Questions

A Notary is a person of proven integrity commissioned by the state to serve the public as an official, impartial witness to authenticate the signing of important documents and administer oaths to increase public trust in transactions and to deter fraud.  

• As an impartial witness, the Notary ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are. 
• The Notary also makes sure that signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly. 
• Notaries create a trustworthy environment where people can share important documents with full confidence in their authenticity.​ 

No. Notarization does not guarantee the truth or accuracy of statements in a document. The Notary has no obligation to verify a document’s contents. Notaries certify the identity of signers. The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.

Yes. You must have a VALID photo ID issued by a government entity (city, state or federal) and it cannot be expired.
Accepted Forms of Identification: Driver License, Non-Driver Photo ID, Government Photo ID or Passport
Unaccepted Forms of Identification: Birth certificates, Social Security cards, School identification cards, Credit cards, or debit cards 

Radiant Randell Notary Mobile Notary is a full time agency that provides services in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Distance and time of day are taken into consideration when determining the price. Charges may vary depending on location, number of documents, and time of the appointment. Additional fees include an administrative fee, travel/ mileage costs, and additional service surcharges. The maximum notary fees are fixed by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA). You will receive an itemized invoice prior to appointment to approve charges.  

The two most common types of notarizations are “Acknowledgment” and “Jurat”. The type of notarization needed is usually indicated on the document with a pre-printed notarial certificate. However, if a notarial certificate is not pre-printed, the document signer must choose which to use, as the notary is prohibited from doing so.

An Acknowledgment certificate indicates that the signer personally appeared before the notary, was identified by the notary, and acknowledged to the notary that he or she freely signed the document. The signer must familiarize himself with the document and complete all blank fields before meeting with the notary.

A Jurat certificate indicates that the signer personally appeared before the notary, was identified by the notary, and signed the document in front of the notary. Additionally, the notary must administer an oath asking the signer to swear or affirm that the content of the document is true to the best of their knowledge. The signer must familiarize himself with the document and complete all blank fields before meeting with the notary.

A simple way to tell which notarization your document requires is to look for the word “acknowledge” for an Acknowledgment, and for a Jurat look for the words “subscribed and sworn” or mention of an oath.

No. A Notary is forbidden from preparing legal documents or acting as a legal advisor unless he or she is also an attorney. Violators can be fined or jailed for the unauthorized practice of law. A Notary cannot by law, interpret or explain the contents of any document to you. If you have any questions, please consult an attorney or the person who provided the documents to you. 

No. The document cannot be notarized unless it is witnessed by the notary. Additionally, the document should be complete and have no blank spaces. Incomplete documents will not be notarized. Signatures will not be notarized unless the person is present. 

Only if the Notary is uncertain of a signer’s identity, willingness or general competence, or has a good reason to suspect fraud. Notaries should not refuse to serve anyone because of race, religion, nationality, lifestyle, or because the person is not a client or customer. Discrimination on any basis is not a suitable policy for a public official. 

1. At least 24 hours of advanced notice required whenever possible.
2. Advanced payment required for same-day appointments.
3. No Cancellations/Refunds for same-day appointments.
4. Signings in remote areas and under extreme circumstances (rush jobs, long waiting, inclement weather, long distances, etc…) may result in additional fees.
5. Cancellations should be made via email or text no later than 4 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. This does not apply to same-day appointments. 

No. Notaries are prohibited from certifying copies of birth, death or marriage certificates, or any document in the custody of a court. Some states require that a request for a birth, death, or marriage certificate be notarized. A notary may notarize the signature on the request form, but may not notarize a copy of the actual certificate. You can obtain official certified copies of these documents from the state or county where they were filed. 

Generally, notarizing for the elderly is no different than doing so for any other person. However, the elderly signer is subject to the same identification standards as listed above, and must be lucid and cognizant of what he or she is signing. Many times the elderly cease driving a car and allow their driver’s license to lapse, and it subsequently may be lost track of. In this instance, it would be a good idea for that person to obtain a state-issued identification card for non-drivers. A notary must decline to notarize if the identity of the signer cannot be established or if the signer does not seem to understand what he or she is signing.