A notarization is generally an assurance made by a Notary Public that a document's signature is genuine, that the signer acted without duress and that the signer intended the terms of the document to be in full force and effect.
Most requests for notarization involve the signing of documents. In all cases, all signers and any required witness(es) must be present for the notarization. You'll need to bring acceptable ID as required by your state along with all pages of the document being notarized.
When you (as well as any additional document signers and required witnesses) arrive at your appointment, the Notary will review your document(s) to determine the notarization requirements and whether we are able to complete the notarization. From start to finish, the typical appointment takes about 30 minutes.
For additional information about notary requirements in your state, consult with a legal advisor or contact your Secretary of State's office or other state or local notary authority in your area.
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Common questions you may haveWhat is a notary?
A Notary Public is an individual who has been recognized by the state government as being able to serve as an objective witness and provide notarizations. A notarization is generally an assurance made by a Notary Public that a document's signature is genuine, that the signer acted without duress and that the signer intended the terms of the document to be in full force and effect.
What is needed for a notarization?
Most requests for notarization involve the signing of documents. In all cases, all signers and any required witness(es) must be present with the Notary for the notarization. You'll also be required to bring acceptable ID as required by your state. Be sure to bring all pages of the document being notarized (we suggest you don't sign or date the document before visiting a financial center because some documents must be signed and dated in the presence of a Notary).
How do I get a document notarized?
The following steps for notarization are defined by the state and not by Bank of America. The Notary will:
What forms of ID are acceptable in order to get a notarization?
Acceptable forms of ID in most states include:
In some states, acceptable ID may also include a green card, a foreign passport or a driver's license officially issued in Mexico or Canada.
What reasons might prevent a Notary from notarizing my document?
A Notary may be unable to complete a notarization when:
For certain notarial requests that involve complex rules or unfamiliar notarial types, or due to other work obligations, the Notary may recommend that you obtain further consultation with other notary service providers or legal counsel.
Is there a fee for notary services?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for notary services.
Should I sign or date the document being notarized before I visit a Notary?
No. We recommend you don't sign or date any documents before seeing the Notary, since some documents must be logged in the presence of a Notary.
Will Bank of America provide witnesses (if needed) for a notarization?
In certain instances, a bank associate may be able and available to act as a witness. In some cases, a non-bank affiliated independent witness may be required. For these reasons, we recommend you bring any required non-bank independent witness to complete your notarization.
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