Policies

The following is a list of steps to take before your appointment to avoid potential cancellations or delays. Failure to properly prepare for you appointment could result in a notary not performed fee.

 

Notaries are not attornies and cannot provide advice on any document or legal matter. Need an attorney? View our recommendations. ​

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1. Do not sign until in the presence of the notary. Doing so may invalidate the document.

2. Make sure the document is printed. We offer printing services!

3. Bring the entire document to your appointment, or have us print it.

4. Verify the type of notarization required: Is there a notary block or certificate? See examples.

   • If Yes: You are ready for your appointment!

   • If No: Contact an attorney or the organization who made or will be receiving the document to determine the type of notarization that is needed.

     • ​Note: A notary can provide a loose certificate or certificate stamp for the document's notarization but may not give advice on the notarization that is needed.

5. ​Review the document: 
   • Make sure you understand the document's contents.
   • Have questions? Consult an attorney or the organization that made the document or will be recieving the document.​

6. Does your document require witnesses? 

   • If yes: Please find and schedule to have the required witnesses come to your notary appointment with the required ID's. 

     • Note: Your appointment may be cancelled and/or a notarization not performed fee charged if the required wittnesses are not available at the appointment time with required ID's.

   • If unsure: Ask the attorney or organization that made or will be recieving the document. Often if wittnesses are required there will be places for them to sign on the document. 

7. ​Have a plan for payment. See payment.

8. Prepare to bring required ID's. See Acceptable ID's.

9. Do you need a printed copy of your ID?

   • If yes: ​Please bring a printed copy in addition to the original or arrange for us to make a copy.

   • If unsure: Ask the attorney or organization that made or will be recieving the document. Note that this is most common in real estate transactions.

10. A note for caregivers:

    • Do not speak for your loved one in the notary appointment. Part of a legal notarization is assessing coherence; in other words does the signer know what they are signing and are the signing of their own free will? In order to assess this, I ask the signer questions which may be about the document or may be small talk. Often caregivers have gotten in the habit of answering for their loved one. They are just trying to help. However, by answering for them it makes it hard for me to see if the signer is of sound mind. It is especially important and difficult to determine this when the signer is physically ill and may struggle due a physical impediment.

    • If your loved one has dementia, other mental impediment or is on mind altering drug that hinders their ability to make decisions, their signatures cannot be legally notarized. If you need legal tools to care for your loved one, you will need to consult an attorney to review your options. 

11. ​If you need an attorney, and do not have one, click here to see a list of local attorneys.

12. Add your appointment to your calendar and get ready to check notarization off your to do list!

 

If you have questions or concerns please call Clara at 502-208-8784 to discuss your situation. ​​

There is no fee for cancellation or rescheduling. We are all human here and life is complicated enough. However, at least 2 hours notice is required. Please contact Clara ASAP when you know that you will be late or that you will not be able to make your appointment. Accommodations will be made as time and schedules allow. 

 

No call, no show: If you fail to show up to your appointment and fail to communicate before the missed appointment, the full agreed upon amount will be due within 30 days of the appointment date. You will receive an invoice within 48 hours of the appointment time. Rescheduling will not be possible until all open invoices are paid. 

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Notarization not performed fee is 50% of the argreed upon amount. Sometimes, for one reason or another a notarization cannot be performed. Common reasons for this situation include inadequate ID's, a document requiring witnesses but not being able to procure them or an issue with the document. This situation can be avoided with preparation before the appointment. Once the issue has been resolved your appointment can be rescheduled for another day and time.

For all services, excluding services contracted through a third party, payment is due at time of service. Burton Notary Services can accept payment by card via Square, check(personal, money order of cashier's) or cash(some change will be available). We may also send a link to pay using square to your text messages. Be advised that a 3% card transaction fee will be added to all card transactions. Please have method of payment planned before your appointment time to avoid issues.

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Payment of contracted services are due 30 days after the signing is performed or as otherwise stated in a negotiated contract. An invoice will be sent within 48 hours of the time of service via email or your preferred method of contact.

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Nonpayment by due date will result in a cessation of services until all open invoices are paid. If nonpayment exceeds 90 days and communication has not resulted in payment or negotiation of the issue, legal action may be pursued.

​While Burton Notary Services is a 24-hour notary service, if your appointment is outside the hours of 8:00 am-8:00 pm, at least 24 hours’ notice of the appointment is required. 

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To schedule an appointment, please call or text at 502-208-8784. You may also email for an appointment time at clara@burtonnotaryservices.com However, you are more likely to receive a faster response via phone or text. If we miss you please leave a message or shoot us a text so that we know to get back to you!