Notary323.com

 

Mobile Notary

in Los Angeles, California.

Contact:

Phone: 323-578-2308

Fax: 425-732-9238

E-mail: notary@notary323.com

CAN YOU NOTARIZE A SIGNED DOCUMENT?

 

The way this question is worded, the answer would probably be NO, as there is no such thing “notarize”.  However, if we use a different — accurate — terminology: 

 

Can you perform an acknowledgement on a document that has already been signed?

             The answer is YES.  

            

Here is the detailed explanation from the Notary Handbook, which was found on page 21:

 

Q. Am I (notary) required to see the person sign the document at the time I perform the notarization?

A. If you (notary) are preparing a certificate of acknowledgment, then “no.” The document can be executed before the person brings it to you for notarization. In an acknowledgment, the signer must personally appear before you (the notary) and acknowledge that he/she executed the document, not that they executed the document in your presence.