Identity Confirmed: The Notary's Primary Role

⚠️ IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMER I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE.

As a Tennessee Notary Public, my role is to act as an impartial witness. I am strictly prohibited from advising you on the contents of your document, helping you choose a notarial act, or completing forms that are not part of the notarial certificate.

WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC'S JOB, REALLY?

Many people believe a notary's stamp is what makes a document "legal" or confirms its truthfulness. This is the biggest misconception! In reality, a Notary Public's job is focused solely on deterring fraud and upholding the integrity of the document signing process. Our core duty is to act as an impartial witness to two things:

Identity: We confirm that the person signing the document is truly the person named in the document.
Willingness: We verify that the signer is acting willingly and is aware that they are signing the document.

🎯 Clearing Up Common Notary Questions

Does notarization automatically make a document "legal" or "valid"?

No. Notarization is a procedural step that attests to the identity of the signer. It does not validate the content, terms, or legality of the document itself. The document's legal standing is determined by the law and the parties involved, not by the notary's seal.

Is it your job to read and verify the document's accuracy?

No. We are legally prohibited from reviewing the document for accuracy, completeness, or legality. Doing so would constitute the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL), which we are required by law to avoid.

Can you tell me which type of notarization I need?

No. Because we cannot provide legal advice, we cannot advise you on the specific notarial act you need... Action: You must know which type of act is required.

Your ID Checklist: What to Bring

To meet the legal requirement for "satisfactory evidence," your identification must meet specific criteria. All identification documents must be current or issued within the last five (5) years, contain a photograph and description of the person, be signed by the person, and bear a serial or other identifying number.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR LOAN SIGNINGS (e.g., Mortgage Closing): For documents related to a loan (such as Deeds of Trust or Affidavits in a closing package), the lender or title company often requires borrowers to present two (2) forms of valid, unexpired identification, even if state law only requires one. Please confirm your ID requirements with your lender or title company prior to our appointment.

✅Primary ids

An identification card or driver's license issued by the department of safety [Tennessee Department of Safety]; or

A passport issued by the United States department of state.

☑️secondary ids

A passport issued by a foreign government;

A driver's license issued by a state other than Tennessee;

An identification card issued by a state other than this state; or

An identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States.

❌unacceptable ids

Expired IDs

Social Security Cards

Birth/Marriage Certificates

School or Workplace IDs

Credit Cards

Any document that fails the statutory criteria

Our Commitment to You

We are committed to following the letter of Tennessee law by strictly adhering to our role as an impartial witness. By understanding the limits of our duties, you can trust that your transaction will be handled with integrity, accuracy, and full compliance right here in Tennessee.

Ready to schedule your notarization? Contact Us Today!

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