Document Preparation
What to Bring to a Notary Appointment in New Jersey
By Tawana Harris ·
Most notary appointments take only a few minutes. The ones that go wrong almost always go wrong for the same small reasons: a missing page, an expired driver's licence, or a signature that was added at the kitchen table the night before. A short checklist prevents nearly all of it.
Valid, unexpired photo identification for every signer
Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's licence, state ID or passport. Every person named in the notarial certificate needs their own identification — one ID cannot cover a spouse, a business partner or an adult child.
The name on the identification should match the name being signed on the document. If your document uses a maiden name, a middle initial or a name you no longer use on your ID, say so when you request the appointment rather than at the table.
The complete document — every page
A notary works with the whole document, not just the signature page. Bring all pages, exhibits and attachments, even the ones nobody expects to be read. If the document arrived as an email attachment, print it in full and check the page count.
The document also needs notarial wording — a certificate for an acknowledgment, jurat, oath or affirmation. If there is no notarial wording anywhere on the page, the person or organisation requesting the notarization has to supply it, because a notary cannot choose the wording for you.
Blank signature lines
Unless the instructions specifically say otherwise, leave your signature line blank and sign at the appointment. For a jurat you must sign in front of the notary after taking an oath, so an early signature means starting again with a fresh copy.
Any witnesses the document requires
Some documents ask for one or two witnesses in addition to the notary. The document itself decides this — a notary cannot add or remove a witness requirement. Each witness should bring their own photo ID, and a witness should generally be a neutral adult who is not named in or benefiting from the document.
A quiet place and a few spare minutes
For a mobile appointment, a table, decent light and a room without a television are all it takes. Give the appointment a little more time than you think it needs, especially if several people are signing.
If anything on this list is uncertain — an expired ID, a signer who cannot travel, a document with no notarial wording — mention it when you request your appointment. It is far easier to sort out beforehand than at the table.