An OATH is a spoken, solemn promise (vow of truthfulness) given under the penalties of perjury.  It is made before a Notary in relation to a jurat or as a notarial act in its own right.  When you see the word "swear/sworn" or "affirm/affirmed" in a document you are required to perform an oath.

 

Swearing is calling on God, a god or a sacred object as witness (i.e. I swear to God; I swear on the Holy Bible).

Affirming is given by a person who conscientiously objects to swearing.

 

When performing an Oath you will ask the person taking the Oath to raise his/her right hand.  The tradition of raising the right hand comes from Roman times when the right hand was offered as a gesture of friendship and greeting.  It was also a means from having the person reach for his weapon (sword).  *Click on Roman image to view larger image*

 

Suggested wording for a general Oath is asking "Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) under the penalties of perjury that the information provided in the (insert name of document) is true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief?"

 

A JURAT is a notarial act in which the document signer signs in the presence of the Notary and swears or affirms the truthfulness of the document.   You will find a combination of wording in a jurat i.e. "subscribed and sworn before me"; "signed and sworn (affirmed) before me"; "Sworn (or affirmed) and subscribed to before me", etc. 

 

You are required to perform an Oath every time you are notarizing a jurat.  If your notarized document is contested and it is discovered that you did not perform an Oath as required in your jurat notarization, the contested document could be thrown out of court.

 

An easy way to remember the difference is that an Oath is spoken and a jurat is written (subscribed/signed) and spoken (Oath).   

 

Next Month:  The Importance of Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance

When you receive your approval letter from the Notary Division, you will begin to receive many solicitations for notary supplies.  It may be a bit overwhelming for a new notary to determine which supplies are required and which ones are optional. 

 

According to the Virginia Notary Public Handbook, Virginia law does not require the use of a notary seal.  However, effective July 1, 2007 when you do use a notary seal it must be a "sharp, legible, permanent and photographically reproducible".  It is customary to use a seal when notarizing documents. Keep in mind that if you are notarizing documents to be used outside of Virginia (i.e. notary signing agents who are witness closing mortgage loans) most states expect to see a notary seal.  I have received several phone calls from title companies who can't believe that VA notaries do not use a notary seal on their work.  At Mid Atlantic Mobile Notary Services we use both a self-inking seal (click notary seal images) and the traditional embosser which makes a raised impression on the document ensuring that it an original document.

 

There are rectangular and round notary seals that are pre-inked, self-inking and hand stamps.  In our "Notary Basics" class you will have the opportunity to use sample inked seals and traditional embossers on practice documents.  Two benefits of using the pre-inked or self-inking stamps is that they are convenient and make a neat impression.  

 

                              Another benefit is that required information (do you know the six items of standard information required in every notarial act?) such as your commission ID number and notary expiration date is imprinted on your stamp (seal).

 

Here is OUR recommendation list:  

 

 

1.  Self-inking, pre-inked or hand stamp photographically reproducible  

     notary seal

2.  Journal Of Notarial Acts for Virginia Notaries Public

     (optional - recommended)

3.  Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance

    (optional - recommended)

 

1.  Self-inking, pre-inked or hand stamp photographically reproducible

     notary seal

2.  Journal of Notarial Acts for Virginia Notaries Public

     (optional - recommended)

3.  Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance

     (optional - recommended)

4.  Acknowledgement, jurat and copy certification stamps

     (optional - recommended)

 

1.  Self-inking, pre-inked or hand stamp photographically reproducible

     notary seal

2.  Journal of Notarial Acts for Virginia Notaries Public

     (optional -  recommended)

3.  Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance

     (optional - recommended)

4.  Traditional embosser as a "courtesy" seal.  Raised seal impression

     ensures that document is an original. 

     (optional - recommended)

5.  Acknowledgement, jurat and copy   

     certification stamps

     (optional - recommended)

6.  Messenger bag to transport tools and

     legal size documents

     (optional -recommended)

 

Most notary supply companies offer "new notary packages".  Make sure you choose a package that has a photographically reproducible seal.  A traditional embosser by itself does not meet state requirements.  You will have to purchase an impression inker stamp to press over the raised impression, rub a pencil over the impression or use carbon paper.  Some of these options do not look very professional.  If you are marketing yourself as a mobile notary/notary signing agent please choose wisely.

 

ACORN SALES COMPANY offers Virginia notaries a 10% discount on all notary supplies.  Use coupon code:  P5UJ-4Z2PT5

 

If you are do not know what to order, please email Bryce Hall at bryce@midatlanticnotaryservices.com or follow the above recommendations.

 

Don's witty and charming personality keeps his loan signing services in demand with repeat clients.   Remember that the more loans you are available to close, the more money you can make.   Don's motto is "Book 'em, Dano!"  (famous saying from "Hawaii Five-0" 70's TV show).

 

                                                                                   

Serving Virginia and Maryland since 2003 Mid Atlantic Mobile Notary Services leads the region in professional mobile mortgage loan signings.   In Virginia our crew of independent contractors are seasoned notary signing agents, title insurance agents or CRESPA agents.  Our Maryland TIPICS (title insurance producer independent contractors) are equally as professional and experienced.  We work with lenders and title companies, locally and nationwide and have closed over 9,000 loans.

 

Our Virginia Notary Public Classes are taught by Bryce Hall, President of  Mid Atlantic Mobile Notary Services.  Bryce has over 30 years experience as a notary public and is currently dual commission in Virginia and Maryland. 

 

Bryce takes our mobile classroom on the road teaching individual and small groups including classes at Northern Virginia Community College/Annandale campus and Fairfax County Public Schools/Adult Education Center (ACE).   Bryce also travels to offices and teaches "Notary Basics" at the request of business owners . 

 

Our most popular classes are "Notary Basics"; "Become A Notary Signing Agent" and "Understanding the Mortgage Loan Signing for Virginia Notary Signing Agents".  

 

Our new Home Study program has proven to be very effective and convenient for those who live too from a mobile classroom location.  

                                                                              

 

 

 

 

** Norfolk, VA **

 

 

** Springfield, VA **