Posted by John Merchant on January 05, 2003 at 19:01:34:
Most states require NP’s acknowledgement for recording deeds & deeds of trust.
And in some states, a long term lease is VOIDABLE unless notarized (WA State, etc)
I also recommend NP for good, neutral, 3d party witness which is frequently valuable when dealing with the elderly or infirm…keeps the signer or their families from coming back and claiming forgery, coercion, and also holds down claims that the signer didn’t know what he/she was doing, etc.
A NP is a good available witness who might later be called to testify if needed. The NP should be instructed by you to make careful notes of transaction, check ID, have a little bit of conversation with the signer to establish later that the signer sure seemed OK to him, no coercion was in evidence, no mental confusion noted.
And there are national NP services so you might send docs to be signed and notarized in Mainer or CA, or FL, etc., and the NP can carry to the signer, have signed and witnessed and return to you.