A guide to correcting Notary certificates

A person writing on a Notary certificate

Updated 1-22-24. No matter how careful you are, mistakes sometimes happen when notarizing. If you make a mistake filling in information for a Notary certificate, these tips will help you.

Tip 1: Double-check the certificate while the signer is present

Catching a mistake before your signer leaves is the best-case scenario. It will minimize any inconvenience, and all the information you need to make the correction will be available.

Here are some things to keep in mind when reviewing the certificate:

Many documents have preprinted certificate wording, such as the venue or date of the notarization, or the names of the signers. You must check to ensure the preprinted information is correct.
Double-check all the information you have written in the certificate, such as the spelling of the signer’s name and the date, and make sure it’s correct.
If the document requires you to enter your commission number or expiration date, double-check that all the required information is there and is correct.
Make sure your seal has been affixed legibly.

Tip 2: Never send unattached certificates or corrected copies

Fixing a mistake after the signer and document are gone is more challenging. First, you’ll need to confirm that your state allows you to correct a notarial certificate after the notarization.

In California, Notaries are not allowed to correct certificates after the signer has left their presence. The only way to fix a mistake is for the Notary and signer to meet again to complete a new notarization. In Florida, Notaries cannot correct or amend a certificate once the notarization is completed.

Even if your state allows you to fix a mistake after the notarization is complete, such as in Montana, there are other potential issues. Notaries often are asked to simply send a replacement certificate or make corrections to a faxed, photocopied or emailed copy of the original certificate. While these are the simplest, most convenient solutions, they open the door to fraud and may violate the Notary laws of your state. Make sure to check your state’s requirements to verify what you can do.

Your state, for example, may have a law that requires the certificate to be part of or attached to the document being notarized. That means anyone asking you to correct a certificate will have to send you the entire document with the original certificate. Then you’ll be able to review the document to ensure it contains your signature and cross-check your journal entry for the notarization to verify the particulars of the notarization before making the appropriate correction.

Tip 3: Making a correction on the certificate

When it comes to making a correction, the process is as follows:

Line through the incorrect information.
Print the correct information in a legible manner.
Initial and date the correction.
Make a notation in your journal entry.

Legibility is crucial. If a receiving agency cannot read the corrected information, they may reject the document. Also, make sure you conform to any other requirements for the document. Some state recording laws, for example, have specific requirements for margin width; any information that protrudes into the margins could cause the document to be rejected.

Never let anyone else correct a certificate you completed. The certificate is your statement about what took place with the notarization you performed. No one else may certify the facts of a notarization you performed. The notarization will be undermined if anyone else changes the information on the certificate.

Tip 4: Using a replacement certificate

If there is not enough room to properly make the corrections on the original certificate, you may attach a separate, replacement certificate. Simply line through the original certificate, write “see attached certificate,” initial and date the original then complete and attach the new certificate.

If possible and if permitted by your state, use the same certificate wording that was on the original. This will reduce the chances of the document being rejected. Also, use the same date as the original.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to fix any mistakes that crop up.

When and how to use a loose certificate

Signing Agent tip: Sending extra Notary certificates

A Notary certificate in 4 simple parts

Additional Resources:

NNA Hotline

151 Comments

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Becca

20 Nov 2024

I realized after I signed that I signed first initial last name not full first name. So I used a white out pen and then I signed farther down the signature line to make sure my signature was exactly as my seal. Is that ok?

National Notary Association

11 Dec 2024

You should not use correction fluid or tape to cover over a mistake and then write on top of it. The fluid or tape could come off.

Tempu

05 Nov 2024

When I need to scan a document that has been notarized with my seal, the seal is not visible on the scanned document. What can I do to make it visible without compromising the integrity of the notarization act?

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please provide us with a few more details? 1. What state are you commissioned in? 2. Are you using an embosser, or are you using an ink stamp seal?

Julie Natali

17 Sep 2024

I finished my test for my Notary Renewal and noticed that my name on the certificate does not match my affirmation page and stamp signature. How can I get this corrected? Thank you.

18 Sep 2024

Hello. If you applied for your commission or purchased your Notary tools through the NNA, please email our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org for assistance.

Kristal

21 Jul 2024

I have a document that was notarized. The pre-printed date is 6/29/2024, but I actually met and signed with the notary on 6/30/24. It has 5 pages and all but one, the incorrect date has a line through it and the write date was placed next to it without the notary's initial. However, the notorial certificate list the date as 6/29/24. Also, notary signature and my signature are two different inks. Are the documents still valid? Thank you for you help. Utah Laws

23 Jul 2024

Hello. You would need to contact the agency receiving the document or consult with an attorney to determine if the document is still valid despite the notarization error, and to request any instructions regarding correction.

Lori Barker

17 Jul 2024

I just realized my notary stamp has my name spelled wrong. What do I do to correct this?

18 Jul 2024

Hello. If you ordered your stamp through the NNA, please contact our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org and they can assist you.

RHB

26 Jun 2024

I am in NC. We had a notary notarize a Deed. One of the Grantors was physically limited and was only able to sign with an "X". The Deed has 3 Grantors total. Deed was filed at registry. Unbeknownst to me and the notary, NC now requires that notaries add the verbiage of "Mark affixed by (name of signer by mark) in presence of undersigned notary" below the mark on the document. Would an "AFFIDAVIT OF CORRECTION OF NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE" be the correct form to have the notary complete?

01 Jul 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and spoke to them directly about the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

illnotarizeforyou@gmail.com

24 Apr 2024

How do you make a correction on a virtual document during a RON session?I can't put a line through the document online. I have the option to "white out" the verbiage and type the new information. Is this acceptable?

26 Apr 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

jarome.jj@gmail.com

22 Mar 2024

I’m in CA and in my journal I accidentally checked oath instead of acknowledgement. How do I correct that?

09 Apr 2024

You can simply line through the incorrect information and enter the correct information and note in your journal why the correction occurred.

Sulaiman A Kargbo

05 Feb 2024

The above information is very helpful.

Cicsley Galloway

This was very helpful because anyone can make a mistake.

Kerry A Wilson

Does the pre-printed venue at the top of an affidavit need to updated/corrected when the document is signed in a different venue? Or, is it only necessary for the venue in my notarization to be correct?

16 Feb 2024

Nyasha Allen

Great information just to have!

Naomi Chapman

01 Feb 2024

I live in Washington state did a notary over the web. Forgot to circle where it said immediate or date when I wanted it to start. As a POA how do I get this fixed without having to pay again…

Jan McCormick

27 Jan 2024

I am in Maryland. The notary block on a power of attorney form was incorrectly typed as October when the document was signed in November. Can the notary strike October, write in November and initial and date to correct?

Beverly

28 Dec 2023

I'm in Florida. I've been asked to notarize a "Receipt and Release" form concerning payment of funds from a Trust. The signer's name is incorrect (first and middle names swapped, i.e. "Thomas John Smith" should read "John Thomas Smith"). Can I make a correction? If so, how exactly?

Maria

10 Nov 2023

Can I add a certificate for a power of attorney in Florida if it had the wrong state and wording on it?

14 Nov 2023

Maroun Khater

01 Nov 2023

So if a signer by mistake wrote a wrong date, should he line it through, rewrite the correct date and initial it or what?

02 Nov 2023

Hello. A Notary may not advise a signer how to correct errors in the main body of a document being notarized. The signer would have to contact the issuing agency, receiving agency or consult with an attorney to request instructions.

NICKI KILBY

06 Sep 2023

My Notary wrote my name backwards, instead of NICKI LACHEE KILBY, HE PUT KILBY LACHEE NICKI Will it be accepted

08 Sep 2023

Hello. That would be up to the agency that will receive the document. You would need to contact them to ask if they will have any issue accepting the document or if they wish to have you obtain a new notarization.

SHELLY

22 Aug 2023

I am in MN. I missed adding state and county on the notary certificate section. The original documents were returned, how can I add it to the original documents?

24 Aug 2023

Loretta DiPuma

17 Aug 2023

Hello - I have a Power of Attorney that was acknowledged in the State of Washington for a Real Estate Transaction in California, wherein the notary made errors on her acknowledgment and title is requesting a notary acknowledgment. The Notary is stating that they need to have the client come in and have them resign the document so she can re-acknowledge. The client is now out of the country and cannot go into the office. Does the State of Washington allow the notary to attach a new notary acknowledgement to the original document without the client re-appearing in front of the notary?

21 Aug 2023

Hello. No, that is not permitted.

Cheryl Linebaugh

06 Jun 2023

I live in Louisiana, and we just recently had a car title notarized in my 16 year old daughters name, Bailey, through an active donation from her aunt. Louisiana Law states that it is illegal for a 16 year old to own a car title, unless they are emancipated or married. We did not find this out until we had left the notary, and before we had gone to a DMV. A fact to keep in mind is that this notary, and her aunt, live 3 hours away, so it is not easy to restart the process and fill out another title. So, is this fixable by putting the words “(Parents Name) as a custodian for (My daughters name)” in place of my daughters name on the title? Or is there no other way to correct it, besides doing it all over again.

07 Jun 2023

Hello. We're sorry, but those are questions that would need to be answered by your state motor vehicle department or a qualified attorney.

Luanna Roberts

10 Apr 2023

I am a notary in the state of Massachusetts. I often send out forms that need to be notarized. My standard form says on the notary page, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sometimes I receive the page back with Commonwealth of Massachusetts scratched out and replaced with Commonwealth of New Hampshire or Texas or whatever. Is that a problem?

14 Apr 2023

Lyn Thorn

28 Mar 2023

My notary's commission very near the date my documents were notarized. The notary inadvertently stamped all of the documents with the expired stamp, realized the error and stamped again with the correct stamp. Should the notary have crossed through the invalid stamp?

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state the Notary is commissioned in?

Anonymous

19 Jan 2023

Singed a doc for a business address change. Suffix is Jr and was wondering if it needs amended for legal purposes and taxes, record filing, etc., or if it's fine because when I signed the document; my signature did include my suffix.

23 Jan 2023

Hello. We're sorry, but that's a legal question we cannot answer. You would need to contact a qualified attorney for assistance.

Charlene Johnson

22 Nov 2022

On a Grant Deed for my home in Nevada that we were adding our daughter to, a different first name was printed & notarized under my husbands first name & it was recorded with this error. I was told they would fix and re-record this but it was not re-recorded the name was crossed out and his correct name written in with a scribbled initial and nothing else. Is this a legal deed to our home?

28 Nov 2022

Hello. We're sorry, but that is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Dave

13 Oct 2022

In California, is it acceptable for the notary public to fill out and notarize an amendment form to correct an incorrectly written date on a notary certificate he filled out on a previously notarized document?

14 Oct 2022

Hello. In California, according to the Secretary of State's Notary Public Handbook: “There are no provisions in the law that allow for the correction of a completed notarial act. If a notary public discovers an error in a notarial act after completing the act, then the notary public should notarize the signature on the document again. All requirements for notarization are required for the new notarial act, including completing and attaching a new certificate containing the date of the new notarial act and completing a new journal entry.”

Cathy

27 Aug 2022

Hello, I'm in California and completed an acknowledgement however, when I stamped my notary seal on the acknowledgement it was upside down. The stamp is legible. Would I have to complete a new acknowledgement or can it be considered completed and be used?

06 Oct 2022

When a stamp impression is made upside down, and is still legible, it is not necessary to re-stamp the document or use an attachment.

Jen

10 May 2022

Hi. I had an affidavit of service notarized and accidentally put that the person serving the papers was one day later. Does this make the affidavit invalid? Thanks.

Hello. It would be the decision of the receiving agency to accept or reject the notarized document. If you discovered an error in your notarization, you should contact the signer to let them know. The signer would need to contact the agency receiving the document to request instructions for correcting the error.

Mia

08 May 2022

I am in GEORGIA. Late last year me and my 2 siblings needed a court petition notarized regarding my dads estate. The notary stamped and dated all 3 spaces where we each signed but she only signed her name on mine. The court said the notarys signature was missing next to my siblings names. Can the notary sign her name and date it? Or will we have to do this all over again?

01 Jun 2022

Hello. You would need to contact the court or a qualified attorney to request instructions on correcting the issue on the court petition.

Tramonlewis11@gmail.com

28 Mar 2022

my friend just found out that the paper she signed for her house for a company to help her sale the house so she can move to texas was actually “Donation Inter Vivos” contract with the wrong last four of her social security number on it. Is the contract still valid?

30 Mar 2022

Joe Ewing

07 Mar 2022

I don’t know how many times I preached to new notaries in my notary classes, “there’s no do overs”! Once you leave the documents on the table you can’t come back. To prevent mistakes on my work I review each notarization with the signer before I release the document. Venue, date, my name, their name (check the spelling), pronouns checked, my signature, and a perfect stamp. Thorough and precise.

Terri Stell-Warren

How do I know specifically where to find my states rules about notarizations? Can I print them so I can become even more familiar with them?

11 Mar 2022

Hello. You can find information on state Notary laws here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/news/state-notary-laws

Shy

10 Feb 2022

I'm in OHIO, by mistake i put my name instead of the date and i notarized the document. Is it best to just go back and the the signatures or can we line thru document and say see attached with the new notarized document without the signatures for a refinance document?

18 Feb 2022

Mike

13 Jan 2022

I'm in Texas. When notarizing a deed of trust I omitted the year on the date of the acknowledgment. What needs to be done to correct the error? Can the year be added or the date corrected ?

20 Jan 2022

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone to discuss the situation directly with them. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Theresa

29 Dec 2021

“There are no provisions in the law that allow for the correction of a completed notarial act. If a notary public discovers an error in a notarial act after completing the act, then the notary public should notarize the signature on the document again. All requirements for notarization are required for the new notarial act, including completing and attaching a new certificate containing the date of the new notarial act and completing a new journal entry” (California Notary Public Handbook). If there is "no law" then who created this verbiage? By what authority does the notary have to start from fresh to make a simple correction such as forgetting to complete the venue, re-stamping because original stamp smudged and etcetera? Do you have a section code that explains this? Is the "Handbook" the law or just a summary of practices and opinions by a committee who is making their own interpretation of what they believe the law means by this?

30 Dec 2021

Hello. The California Notary Public Handbook is published by the California Secretary of State's office, which is the regulating authority for Notaries in California.

Hollie

09 Dec 2021

If a notary made a mistake (forgot the month) when notarizing a car title, do I have to go back to the same notary or can I just find another one?

17 Dec 2021

Hello. Please contact your state motor vehicle department and ask them to provide instructions regarding correcting the Notary error.

Jonny Gatson

13 Nov 2021

I recently received a trust in the mail after my mother died it didn’t look right upon reading it I noticed a certificate of acknowledgment from the notary filled out but there was no stamp on it his signature look different from the grant deed document they filed in the county clerks office for signatures don’t match it’s in California and they have strict laws about notaries so do you think the document is invalid without the stamp or seal

15 Nov 2021

Hello. We're sorry, but you would need to contact a qualified attorney to give you a legal opinion on whether or not the document is still valid.

Angry Nana

20 Oct 2021

My Dad and I took our Durable Power of Attorney papers to his bank to have them Notarized. During the process I followed the Notary Public's instructions. Two years later, my Dad became ill and unable to make his own decisions. I took our DPOA papers back into his bank to have them honored so that I could pay his bills while he was away from home. When they looked over the papers, I was told there 'may be an issue since the notary did not sign the document'. I had to wait days until the legal department at the bank looked at my document. I found out that not only did she fail to sign the document, she also had me sign as my own witness, so the DPOA papers were 'null and void' and had to be redone. I was never offered an alternative solution. By that time, my Dad was at home in Hospice care and unable to return to the bank to do it all over again. He passed away before I could get his bills paid and his prearranged funeral paid for. We had to take out a loan at our own bank to pay for everything, even though my Dad did everything right so that we would not go through anything like this if he became ill. You won't believe this, but I don't give a shit about the money. I care about the situation, the incompetence, the utter lack of understanding, the robbing of my grief by replacing it with unnecessary anger. What does someone in my situation do? I'm in Michigan, and I see that I can file a complaint...IF I can figure out the forms..but I can see clearly that if you don't fill out a form correctly, it's bunk so I have little confidence in myself at this point. Any advice would be appreciated.

21 Oct 2021

Hello. We're sorry to hear about your family's unfortunate situation. If you are seeking advice on your possible legal options, your best recourse would be to consult with a qualified attorney to request their advice.

Denise

07 Oct 2021

I had completed a signing in July 2021, and today I received a notice of correction. I got this from a signing service... they want me to give them a corrected all-purpose acknowledgment. The issue was they said the signers could sign with their names, no trustee verbiage, and also, on the acknowledgment already had their names pre-typed in it without the trust verbiage at the time of signing. They arenow requesting I send them an All Purpose Acknowledgement with the trustee mortgage. What is Indiana laws on correcting something like this?

National Notary Asssociation

08 Oct 2021

Hello. Indiana requires notarial certificates to be completed contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act (IC 33-42-9-12[a]). You cannot send a notarial certificate by mail for someone else to complete or attach to a document at a later time. For more information, please see this article: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/01/signing-agent-tip-sending-extra-notary-certificates

Chanel

04 Oct 2021

I had a poa notarized in tx and the notary instructed me to put my intials where my father's belonged. The bank rejected the poa because of this and my father is in an unresponsive state and I can't get it redone. He is now in hospice and my pass soon. Do you have any advice on how to proceed?

Hello. You will need to speak to a qualified attorney to ask what legal options are available to you in this situation.

Ken James

31 Aug 2021

Texas Vital Statistics rejected a notarized copy of a Birth Certificate request form because the notary scratched through and initialed a mistake she made in the notary area. This seems to be perfectly legal to me and the agency will not listen to reason. Who am I to tell a notary how to do their job? This error cost me a little over $200.00. How can they penalize me for this?

Mandy

11 Aug 2021

I'm in MN. The title company wants me to notarize a mortgage that I left out because I did not put the "marital status" on the certificate back in June 10. Now they emailed me a new certificate with the prefilled date June 10 and the corrected marital status on a new APA and attached the mortgage deed to show I made the mistake. My question, that is wrong, correct? I need to see the clients and notarize in their presence and no back dating to June 10? Let me know soon.

12 Aug 2021

Nicholas

29 Jul 2021

I'm in Florida, if a POA document is missing information per states guidelines (like in physical presence) can this be added after the customer has left my presence?

Janine

27 Jun 2021

I was scheduled to do a signing on June 25 that got rescheduled to June 27... Instead if the title company sending me new documents they stated to just cross out the date and put the signing date and have the signers initial... Do I also have to initial the date change?

01 Jul 2021

Mal Matt

08 Mar 2021

Texas- I got a contact signed that says an incorrect date it says in the contract I signed 2013 but I signed the document in 2018 but I got it notarized like that. is the document valid?

09 Mar 2021

Hello. You would need to contact a qualified attorney to determine if the document is valid or not.

Kean Butler

22 Feb 2021

Got my title done in Ohio January 4th 2021, Ohio notary accidentally wrote 2020 as the year bought, then crossed it out, corrected the date, and then initialed beside the correction in front of me and the seller. Was this legal? I've been asking around for a month with no solid answers.

26 Feb 2021

Hello. The best source to answer any questions about the legality of the document and any questions about the legal effect of the correction would be a qualified attorney.

Todd Justice

12 Feb 2021

I am in Texas and on Wednesday I missed stamping 2 Affidavit of Identities at a cash out. The reason is that the notarization area on both had several elements missing (state, county, date) within the certificate area and did not look like a notarization, so I signed and put my commission expiration date. I did not know it needed to be notarized. I thought it was just asking for my signature to certify. Today (Fri), the closing agent emailed and asked me to print a copy of the email attachment, which was the affidavit I had signed, and then stamp and correct and scan it back. I did NOT do that and called NNA. The NNA agent stated that I could correct the originals, although I even saw a conflicting statement on NNA site later regarding corrections in Texas. Can I correct originals or does this need a complete new cash out closing? Can I meet with the borrower again and simply notarize new Affidavit of Identities without a completely new cash out closing, and at a title office? Can someone tell me the proper way to correct this?

10 Mar 2021

A Notary public should only Notarize a signature when Notary wording is on the document or attached to it. If Notary wording is not present on the document, and the document needs to be notarized, an certificate should be attached with the proper Notary wording.

Anne Pert

25 Jan 2021

I am in the state of California and recently notarized a document for an employee. I forgot to put my title next to my name. Can i just add the title to the form or do i need to do a completely new form?

26 Jan 2021

In California, Notaries are not allowed to correct certificates after the signer has left their presence. The only way to fix a mistake is for the Notary and signer to meet again to complete a new certificate.

Edia Camara

21 Dec 2020

Hi. Received a seller package with preprinted jurat forms. The county is wrong, is it ok to line through and write the correct county?

04 Jan 2021

Gayle

08 Dec 2020

Someone asked me to notarize a bunch of legal documents (Quit Claim Deed, Preliminary Change of Ownership, Revocable Living Trust, Power of Attorney, etc) The law firm that drew up the documents had pre-printed their notaries name with hopes the customer would allow them to notarize everything but it's not the case. They want me to do it. Can I cross out their notaries name on the form and put mine on there or do the need new clean forms. The law firm doesn't want to give them new forms without their notaries preprinted name but I think it's messy to cross out her name and squeeze mine in...They told my customer I don't know what I'm doing and they should find a new notary :(

10 Dec 2020

CBBlanton

Hello, I’m in NC. I took my notarized title to the DMV, and bc a notary erroneously marked every box with yes & no’s, the title is currently got plates & insurance, but with a salvaged title now. What process to get this title corrected...

Hello. You would need to contact the DMV to request instructions for correcting the title.

Thomas Lew

24 Nov 2020

In Texas, a Last Will and testament was signed before a notary and witnesses, but Notary signed BUT forgot to add their Notary Stamp. Texas requires a Stamp for notarization. Can Testator or Probate Applicant go back to have the Notary add their stamp to the Original Will, (assuming the notarization was properly logged in the Notary's Journal)?

04 Dec 2020

Hello. Because wills and testaments are complex legal documents, any questions about correcting an error on a will would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Kimberly

08 Jul 2020

I'm in NC, and I have a car title that was mistakenly notarized from the state of West Virginia. It did not need to be notarized how can I get this fixed with the notary to remove her signature?

13 Jul 2020

Hello. You would need to contact your state motor vehicle department to ask for instructions.

William Bowen

10 Jun 2020

I'm in NC and the person I am buying a car from accidentally wrote their name and possibly their address on the buyers lines at the very top. My local notary should be able to fix this by lining through the incorrect information, legibly write in the correct information beside the mistake, initial and date beside the corrections made, complete the rest of the title, notarize the document with the stamp/ seal legibly and make a note in their notary journal. Is this all correct or will you need to correct all of my comments lol but really thanks in advance!

Hello. Notaries cannot correct errors in the main body of a document. Notaries may only correct errors in the notarial certificate wording filled out by the Notary during the notarization. If you need the main part of a document corrected, you need to contact an attorney or the document's issuing or receiving agency to request instructions from them.

Tera C

05 Jun 2020

I notarized a document, and didnt put my title next to my name as required here in California. Would this invalidate the document, a trust? I'm afraid if the person passes away I can't renotarize to fix it.

08 Jun 2020

Hello. The signer would need to consult with a qualified attorney to determine if there are any legal issues with the document and if so, what steps would be required to correct it.

Suzanna Solis

06 Mar 2020

I am a notary in California. I recently notarized a document without the wording in the box above the location of the notary. May I attach a new certificate with the box wording to the document?

12 Mar 2020

Hello. The signer would have to bring the original document back to you and you would have to perform a new notarization using the correct certificate wording.

Eva Mikkelson

10 Feb 2020

I am a notary in Colorado. If the venue information is not pre-printed on the certificate, is it OK to just write the information in?

12 Feb 2020

Hello. Yes, in that case you would write the state and county where the notarization takes place in the venue section of the Notary certificate.

Genesis

03 Feb 2020

Hi im in illinois and my landlord just gave us a 5 day notice but the letter does not look valid to me. There are corrections made (he crossed out January and put February) without an initial. The landlord didn't include his full name and my name is not even spelled correctly. Also the seal that should be a stamp looks like it was copied and pasted onto the paper instead of it being stamped on. Could this document be legal? Again I'm in illinois

05 Feb 2020

Hello. We're sorry, but determining whether the document you describe is valid or not is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Marie

22 Nov 2019

I am in the State of California. I have a client that presented a quit claim deed. I forgot to check that the notarial wording box was incorrect that was preprinted on an acknowledgment. I completed the notarization and the next day he came back and said the recorder's office rejected the document because notarial wording is incorrect. They gave him a corrected acknowledgment, was I able to just transferred information from original acknowledgment to the new acknowledgment without changing anything in my notary book?

26 Nov 2019

Juana Bergoglio

07 Nov 2019

Hi, the notary made a mistake years ago in a document, and my mom signed it without realizing that there was a mistake, so he notarized it. Is there any chance that document might be invalid because there was mistake? I lost track of the notary

Hello. You would need to speak to an attorney to get a legal opinion if an error in notarization would invalidate the document or not.

Yeshwanth

28 Aug 2019

I mistaken the initial instead of ..S i wrote it as N can I change it? Please answer

Hello. To help us answer your question can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

wendy traul

07 Jun 2019

Hello. I'm in Kansas. A notary forgot to write in the expiration date of her notary stamp. Can this be fixed using an affidavit?

10 Jun 2019

Hello. Kansas Notary law states: "“If the officer is a notary public, the certificate must also indicate the date of expiration, if any, of the commission of office, but omission of that information may subsequently be corrected” (KSA 53-508[a]).

Angela Varvi

11 Mar 2019

I have been a California notary since 2009. According to your article, CA notaries can correct a notarization while the signer is still present (Tip #3). I had an error with my seal, crossed it out and re-stamped it (same area of the document). I was under the impression that was okay. I've had to do it before on occasion when my seal didn't fully print and have never had a problem. Of course if it's a loose certificate, I simply replace it. Later my client received a rejection letter from the L.A. County Recorder's office stating "We do not accept applications with any alterations (scratch-out or white-out)". So, my understanding of this is that corrections are no longer allowed? What if there is only one original document? Thank you for your response. Regards, Angela

12 Mar 2019

Hello. While California Notaries may correct an error on a notarial certificate at the time of the notarial act, while the document signer is still in their presence, an agency receiving a notarized document (such as a recording office) has the discretion to accept or reject a document if it does not meet the agency's own requirements.

Lee Gale

07 Feb 2019

A quit claim deed was completed, but the notary failed to realize that her own name was listed as Grantor in the acknowledgement statement. The grantor is blind and we believe that a relative completed the QCD. It was filed by an heir to the grantee with the county after the grantee died and after the grantor died without anyone noticing the error. Now the heir to the grantee is trying to sell the home, but the title company won’t allow it due to the error. Does that error invalidate the Quit Claim deed?

08 Feb 2019

Hello. That is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Mary Ann Reid

05 Feb 2019

In 2014, in the state of Florida, my father had a Power of Attorney Document written. He made his close friend POA; I was named successor. My father’s dementia has since then progressed to where he is mentally incompetent. He is 91 years old. I have given him full 24/7/365 care for him in my home, in Georgia, since December 2015. His friend, due to health and age issues, resigned as POA in late 2018. I accepted responsibility as POA in late 2018. I have used POA quite a bit to get access to his finances and to transfer his finances to Georgia. I am trying to get access to his pension so I can adjust his income tax withholding. This is also the first year I will be responsible for filing his income taxes. The pension company just notified me and made me aware that the notary public that signed his POA document in Florida, in 2014, failed to affix her stamp to the POA document. At that same time, the notary also signed and notarized a trust agreement for my father. The notary did affix her stamp to the trust agreement. The notary apparently forgot to affix her stamp to the POA document. I have made quite a few legal/financial changes for my father over the past 4 months. Right now I am waiting for Veterans Benefits to be approved for him- using the POA document. Is my father’s POA valid? Is there something I need to do?

Hello. You will need to contact a qualified attorney to answer any legal questions about the validity of your power of attorney agreement.

Gery Balto

17 Dec 2018

My notary put the wrong year on the notarized document from the date , the seal is valid. How can we correct it

19 Dec 2018

Hello. To help us answer your question can you please tell us what state you are located in?

Thomas Pickle

16 Dec 2018

I have a Quit Claim Deed for property in Oklahoma that had to be signed and notarized in France because the subjects had move from United States. The deed document was signed by both individuals and notarized by an authorized notary in France. Issue is the signatures of the French notary was completed on the side of the document and not in the specified signature blocks at the bottom of the page. Can the document be appropriately notarized and signed by a notary here in the United States?

Hi Thomas. That's a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Paula

23 Nov 2018

I am a notary commissioned in Ohio. I notarized an Ohio automobile title today for a buyer living in Pennsylvania. I incorrectly filled the buyers name and address in on the lines where the sellers information belongs. When I realized this I lined through the mistakes and initialed. Then filled in the correct information. I finished the title. I included my phone number very small beside my notary signature and was careful to keep all writing out of the margins. Did I do the right thing?

27 Nov 2018

Hello. It would be the decision of the receiving agency whether or not to accept a document with corrected Notary certificate wording.

Melissa

14 Nov 2018

I'm in Florida. What is the proper procedure for correcting an already recorded document missing the printed name of the person who signed the document in the notary acknowledgement?

Hello. You should contact the office where the document was recorded for instructions.

Tammy

13 Nov 2018

I put the wrong month on my notary acknowledgment. Can I cross off October and put November then just initial it? Or do I have to do a new acknowledgement? The signer is still with me

Lori

01 Oct 2018

A paralegal is asking me if she can alter a jurat that I completed incorrectly (I'm a Notary). I am thinking I should ask for it back so that I can line through the incorrect word (it has the county where it should have had the month). I'm in California.

02 Oct 2018

Hello. As stated in the article, California Notaries are not allowed to correct certificates after the signer has left their presence. You and the signer would need to meet again to complete a new certificate. The paralegal is not allowed to correct the certificate.

Jessica Lopez

24 Aug 2018

I missed my middle initial in an act and they want it corrected, do you suggest just adding the middle initial or crossing out my name and rewriting it with the middle initial?

Hello, Jessica. To help us answer your question can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Cheryl

18 Aug 2018

Can a map be corrected after notarization? The correction was hand written on the map. This correction was made from a redline from county surveyor after notarization.

21 Aug 2018

Hello. Notaries have no control over what happens after the notarization takes place. Whether or not a correction may be made after notarization would depend on whoever is responsible for the map.

Tyffani

09 Aug 2018

I had to get a new survey of my property and the final plat has to be signed and notarized while we sign and also has to be sent off to the mortgage company for signing and notary. While our notary was filling out her info she accidentally put our state in the line for the mortgage company which is another state. She put all of her correct info where she was supposed to. The only problem is the state was wrote in the wrong place. Is this a problem and we need to get a new copy or is there a way the notary for the mortgage company can correct this?

Hello. We would recommend that you contact the agency the survey is being submitted to, explain the situation, and ask what steps they would like you to take to correct the error if needed.

Nadia

07 Jul 2018

Hello, I have a question. Is it possible to correct a jurat, if on a certificate instead of name of a customer notary put his name. Is it fixable, or best practice would be to attached separate new certificate?

10 Jul 2018

Hello Nadia. To help us answer your question can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Steve Bastow

13 Feb 2018

Might I also add that when attaching a loose certificate, while noting this in your journal entry also apply either an embossed impression to the document you are attaching the loose certificate to, or if that is not available, initial half on original and the other half on the replaced attachment. This will help either prevent fraudulently the loose certificate being applied to another document. And if it was to happen, you can easily ascertain if your certificate was used. On another note I recommend you create your own loose certificates on your own word processor, rather than purchasing the generic certificates. This way you can have one with the venue you are usually at. For myself "Los Angeles", and you can already have your name and capacity of officer inserted.

Terresa E. Armstrong

Thanks for the refresher on making corrections. Very informative.

Richard Arrington

12 Feb 2018

why do I have to fill this out to access the article

Hello. We're sorry for any inconvenience ... you should not have to complete anything to access our Bulletin articles. If you are having difficulty viewing, please email us at social@nationalnotary.org with a description of the issue and the type of device and browser you are using, and we will try to assist you in resolving the problem.

Diana Larson

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, is it acceptable to correct information in the notarial certificate that is normally pre-filled information such as the date of the document? If this information is not pre-filled, the notaries frequently mistake this as the date of notarization instead of the date of the document even though there is a separate line below to provide the date of notarization.

Hello Diana. If there is any incorrect information pre-printed in the Notary certificate wording, then the Notary would need to correct it. However, the Notary should never correct or complete information in the main body of the document--the Notary may only complete the Notary certificate wording.

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Tip 1: Double-check the certificate while the signer is present

Tip 2: Never send unattached certificates or corrected copies

Tip 3: Making a correction on the certificate

Tip 4: Using a replacement certificate

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