Free Notary Public services

The most common need for a notary public is for a signature witnessing (see definition below).  However, a Notary Public is authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to perform many "notarial acts".  Here are the most common:

Acknowledgement:  A notarial act in which an individual, at a single time and place:

     (a) appears in person before the notary public and presents a document;

     (b) is identified by the notary public through satisfactory evidence of identity; and

    (c) indicates to the notary public that the signature on the document was voluntarily affixed by the individual for the purposes stated within the document and, if applicable, that the individual had authority to sign in a particular representative capacity.  

Oaths and Affirmations: 

     Affirmation:  A notarial act, or part thereof, that is legally equivalent to an oath in which an individual, at a single time and place:

     (a) appears in person before the notary public;

     (b) is identified by the notary public through satisfactory evidence of identity; and

     (c) makes a vow of truthfulness or fidelity under the pains and penalties of perjury without invoking a deity.

     Oath:  The same as an Affirmation, except the vow of truthfulness or fidelity is made by invoking a deity. 

Most commonly in American culture, "invoking a deity" means saying "so help me God". 

Jurat:  A notarial act in which an individual, at a single time and place:

     (a) appears in person before the notary public;

     (b) is identified by the notary public through satisfactory evidence of identity;

     (c) signs the document in the presence of the notary public; and

     (d) takes an oath or affirmation before the notary vouching for the truthfulness or accuracy of the signed document. 

Signature Witnessing:  A notarial act in which an individual, at a single time and place:

     (a) appears in person before the notary public;

     (b) is identified by the notary public through satisfactory evidence of identity;

     (c) signs the document in the presence of the notary public.

A Signature Witnessing is the most common "notarization"; this what most people need when they say that they need to get a document "notarized".  Essentially this entails me stamping and/or impressing my notary seal onto your document to authenticate that your signature on that document was in fact put there by you in my presence, and that you are who you say you are.  If you have already signed the document before getting it notarized, no worries!  Then I administer an "Acknowledgment" (see definition above) and, voilà, your signature is notarized!

Copy Certifications:  A notarial act in which a notary public:

     (a) is presented with a document;

     (b)  copies or supervises the copying of the document using a photographic or electronic copying process;

     (c) compares the document to the copy; and

     (d) determines that the copy is accurate and complete.

Please note:  The above services are free of charge in my office during regular business hours, assuming that you have in your possession the necessary document(s) and proper phraseology for the notarial act which you require.  Please note that I am frequently in court or otherwise working out of my office; therefore it is strongly recommended that you either call or text me (781-479-6780)  before stopping by.  Document preparation, in-home visits, and after hour or weekend notarial services may require a fee. 

Additional Notarial Services authorized by law:

Issuance of summonses for witnesses, per MGL c. 233, § 1;

Issuance of subpoenas; and

Witnessing the opening of a bank safe, vault, or box as set forth in MGL c. 167, § 32.