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Some legal documents must be notarized to be valid. This article explains when you need a notary, how the notarization process works, and your options for getting documents notarized in Michigan, including remote online notarization.
When Do You Need a Notary?
Most documents don’t need a notary. Some kinds of documents require a notary and other forms allow a notary as an option. When a notary watches you sign a document and verifies your identity, it helps prevent fraud and makes the document legally valid.
If you are using a form from Michigan Legal Help, the instructions will tell you if the document needs to be notarized. If you are not working with a Michigan Legal Help document, look for a notary block near the signature line. This is a section with blanks for the notary to fill out, and it will include the phrase “subscribed and sworn to before me.” A notary block can mean a notary has to sign, or it may just be an option. Check your form’s instructions for details. If you’re not sure, you can get it notarized if you want to be sure you are meeting the form’s legal requirements.
How Does Notarization Work?
If you have a document that needs to be notarized, do not sign the document before you meet with the notary. The notary must watch you sign the document.
When you meet with the notary, they will check your identity by looking at a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. After you sign the document in front of the notary, the notary will sign and complete their portion.
How Much Does a Notary Cost?
There can be a fee to get a document notarized. In Michigan, notaries can charge up to $10 per signature. Notaries can charge extra fees for additional signatures or if they need to travel to notarize a document. Remote online notarization may cost more because providers charge extra fees for the online tool. Most online notaries charge around $25 for a signature and $10 for additional signatures in the same appointment.
Finding an In-Person Notary
Once your document is ready to sign, you will need to find a notary. Places where you may be able to find a notary available in person include:
Banks and credit unions (sometimes free for account holders)
Copy, print, and shipping stores
Libraries
Courts and other government offices
Call ahead to confirm that a notary is available and to ask about fees.
Remote Online Notaries
Some notaries will sign documents online using audio-video technology. They are called remote online notaries. This means you can get a document notarized from home using a computer or smartphone with a camera and internet connection.
How Does Remote Online Notarization Work?
Not all notaries in Michigan can notarize documents online. They need to register with the state and get approved. Michigan law has rules to make sure online notaries use software that meets security standards. The Secretary of State keeps a list of approved remote online notary vendors.
The companies on this list are platforms that notaries use to perform remote notarizations. Some of these platforms also let you search for a notary or schedule a session directly through their website.
To use an online remote notary, you will need:
A device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) with a camera, microphone, and access to the internet
An electronic copy of the document so that you can upload it to the platform
A photo ID, like a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
Some companies ask for your Social Security Number to generate additional identity verification questions
Can an Out-of-State Notary Sign Michigan Documents?
Yes, notaries in other states can sign Michigan documents. This might apply to you if you are traveling or living in another state and need to sign a Michigan legal document. Michigan law says that a notarization done in another state is valid under Michigan law, as long as the notary followed the laws in their state. The same rules apply to notaries for federally recognized Indian tribes.