A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by the state government to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts authorized by law.
A mobile notary is a notary public that travels to various locations to perform notarial acts. The fees charged by mobile notaries tend to be higher than by traditional notaries due to travel-related expenses such as fuel & mileage, tolls, parking, travel time, traffic delays, etc.
The main difference between a Mobile Notary and a Notary Signing Agent is the focus of their work. While Notaries encounter a wide variety of documents, Signing Agents specifically handle loan documents.
Mobile Notaries and Notary Signing Agents are both required to have a traditional Notary commission, but NSAs must also pass a background check and an exam every year. Some states have specific restrictions related to real property documents and may require additional professional licenses.
To put it simply notarizations are performed to deter fraud. As an impartial witness, the Notary Public ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not impostors. The Notary also makes sure that signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.
If you have a document that must be notarized, you should know a few details before your appointment. Texas State Law has requirements that must be met for your notarization to be approved, including identity requirements, mental capacity, and willingness of the signer.
Check out our Step-By-Step Guide OR give us a call and we'll walk you through how to be prepared for any type of notarization.
Acceptable Forms of ID for Texas Notarizations
A Valid *Unexpired* Federal or State Government-Issued ID with a Photo ID and Signature of the Acknowledging Person(s), such as:
Driver's License
ID Card
U.S. Military ID (cannot be photocopied or photographed)
U.S. Passport
Foreign Passport (can be utilized only for ID purposes on Real Estate Transactions in the State of Texas)
Credible Witness for Identification Purposes
Texas allows Notaries to identify the signer through a credible identifying witness. A credible witness is an individual who personally knows the signer and can vouch for the signer’s identity to the Notary.
In Texas, a credible witness must either personally know the Notary (as well as the signer) or must present to the Notary a valid, unexpired ID issued by the federal or a state government that contains the photo and signature of the witness (1 TAC 87.40[2] and 87.1[1]).
A credible witness must know the signer well enough to be able to swear or affirm the signer’s identity before the Notary.
References: Texas Secretary of State/Texas Administrative Code; 87.40; 87.41; 87.42; 87.43
Mike Phillips, the Director and Supervising Attorney with the Jewish Family Service Patient Advocacy Program and an NNA 2015 Notary of the Year Honoree, spoke with the Notary Bulletin to answer some common questions about a signer’s mental capacity.
It’s a tricky term, but I would say: Having the mental ability to understand the contents of the document that the person is about to sign, in combination with a reasonable understanding of the implications and consequences of signing the document.
There’s a difference between a legal requirement and a standard of professional practice. Even if not required by law, it’s a good professional practice to look for signs that the signer may be unaware, confused, or unable to communicate.
We often work with people in psychiatric hospitals and assisted living facilities, so this is an ongoing issue we see firsthand. Notaries must be sensitive to people in a hospital setting. On the one hand, as notaries, we want to protect a person in a fragile state from being forced to sign. On the other hand, Notaries need to be careful not to set so high a bar that you prevent someone who hasn’t lost capacity from signing.
At CCSS we are trained to look for “negative” warning signs or symptoms. If the signer is communicating incoherently, or there are family members or others in the room insisting the documents be signed but the person seems unable or unwilling, those are all red flags that will prevent the signing from occurring.
Notaries can request the person leave the room while being sensitive to the signer’s feelings. We won't forcibly throw a family member out if it upsets the signer. But again, if there’s someone else present urgently demanding the document be notarized and the signer seems confused or unwilling, that’s a clear red flag that something is wrong.
Sometimes it’s suggested that Notaries ask a staff member or doctor at a healthcare facility about a signer’s condition. But due to privacy laws regarding medical information, this is something we navigate mindfully with our clients. A doctor or caregiver may not be allowed to share sensitive medical information with a notary, and that's okay.
References: NNA Website
In addition to Mobile Notary Services, we offer Loan Signing Services for Real Estate Closings. As a matter of fact, we do more loan closings than any other service. This means we are well-equipped to handle all your needs, from general notary to real estate transactions and everything in between.
We also offer Remote Online Notary (RON).
Our fees vary based on what service(s) you require as well as your location and availability of our Notaries/Service Providers in your area.
Call, Email, or Text (972) 521-1455 for an estimate.
General Mobile Notary - Starting at $65 + 6 per notarization + $1 per additional signature (as needed) between 9:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. (subject to additional mileage, day of the week, time of day, location type, and distance to appointment) - Quotes Available
Remote Online Notary (RON) - Starting at $45 - Quotes Available
Loan Closings - Starting at $250 - Quotes Available
Pricing is subject to change without notice. Please inquire about the most up-to-date offerings and pricing.
Yes, we charge for travel; however, fees for travel and time are not specified or regulated by law.
Call, Email, or Text (972) 521-1455 for estimates
Rates vary depending on the type of service requested, whether for our premium Direct Loan Signings or General Notary Services, as well as the time of day, the distance, or the time it takes to arrive at the traveled-to-location. Travel fees will be discussed prior to departure for your requested service.
No, we do not have a physical address to receive clients. Our service is strictly mobile or online, and all services are by appointment only.
In order to better serve you, we request that all appointments be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. We will, however, make every attempt to fulfill same-day, last-minute, and emergency requests.
We're a Nationwide Signing Service, providing contract Mobile Notary and Signing Agent services anywhere in the USA, and Worldwide through our network of specially commissioned Remote Online Notaries (RON).
Locally, we serve Collin, Denton, Grayson, North Dallas, Tarrant, Hunt, and the entire DFW Metroplex! If you have a need in one of these areas, chances are we'll get the pleasure of meeting you in person for your notarization needs!
