Unlocking the Secrets of Proper Business and Corporate Notarization
Notaries are well-versed in authenticating the signatures of individuals, but what about documents signed by business entities? The landscape shifts slightly when notarizing a company representative’s documents. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the process, providing a roadmap for notaries encountering signatures from corporate, partnership, or LLC representatives.
Step One: Grasping the Entity Concept
Before diving into the intricacies, understand what an entity entails. It refers to a business unit, such as corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships. Entities appoint representatives to act on their behalf, a crucial aspect in notarizing their documents.
Step Two: Seek Notary Resources
Explore your state’s notary educational resources for sample forms tailored for notarizing entity signatures. These resources often provide standardized formats accepted in your jurisdiction.
Step Three: Consult the Commissioning Office
If state-specific forms are elusive, contact your state’s commissioning office. Inquire about state-mandated wording for notary certificates used in documents signed by entity representatives. Different states may have varying procedures for notarizing business entities, so seek guidance from the commissioning office.
Example: Corporation Notary Certificate
Sample Signature Block:
ABC CORPORATION,
a [State] Corporation
[Signature]Example #1 (Blank Notary Certificate):
STATE OF__________
COUNTY OF _______
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___________ by _________________________, ______________________________ of __________________________________________a _______________________ corporation, on behalf of said entity.
Notary Public, State of [State]Example #2 (Completed Notary Certificate):
STATE OF [State]
COUNTY OF [County]
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this [Date] by John Doe, President of ABC CORPORATION, a [State] corporation, on behalf of said entity.
Notary Public, State of [State]Step Four: Review Examples and Self-Test
The review provided examples of entities like corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. Test your skills by completing blank notary certificates to match the corresponding signature blocks. This reinforces your understanding of the process.
Example: Limited Liability Company Notary Certificate
Sample Signature Block:
XYZ INDUSTRIES, LLC,
a [State] limited liability company
[Signature]Example #1 (Blank Notary Certificate):
STATE OF__________
COUNTY OF _______
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___________ by _________________________, ______________________________ of __________________________________________a _______________________ limited liability company, on behalf of said entity.
Notary Public, State of [State]Example #2 (Completed Notary Certificate):
STATE OF [State]
COUNTY OF [County]
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this [Date] by Jane Smith, Managing Member of XYZ INDUSTRIES, LLC, a [State] limited liability company, on behalf of said entity.
Notary Public, State of [State]Step Five: Keep This Guide Handy
Print and retain this article among your notary resource materials. Regularly review it to enhance your skills and comfort level with notarizing documents for entity representatives.
Step Six: Stay Tuned for More Insights
Stay informed about notarizing different entity signatures. Look out for our next edition, covering additional entity signature blocks and accompanying notary certificates. Remember, not all states follow the same procedure, so always review your state’s rules and seek legal advice if needed.
Disclaimer:
The information provided is a general guide and may not cover every state’s requirements. Consult your state’s statutes and legal resources or seek advice from a licensed attorney for personalized information related to notary duties.