Mistakes People Make with Notarizations (And How to Avoid Them!)

Let me tell you a quick story.

A few weeks ago, I got a call from a woman—let’s call her Lisa. She was in a rush, trying to get some legal documents notarized that included a power of attorney for her elderly father. The paperwork was important, time-sensitive, and—according to her—"ready to go."

I met her at her dad’s home (yes, I do mobile notary work anywhere you need me), and she handed over the papers with a relieved sigh. “I just need your stamp, and we’re good, right?”

I took a quick glance and, uh-oh—big problem.

There were multiple blank spaces where information was missing. The name on her father’s ID didn’t exactly match the name on the document. And worst of all? Dad had already signed in advance, assuming that would save time.

I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but I had to tell her, “Lisa, I can’t notarize this as it is.”

Her face fell. “Wait… what? But I need this done today.”

And that’s when it hit her—she was about to learn common mistakes people make when getting a document notarized: improper preparation.

Common Notary Mistake: Missing or Incorrect Information

Lisa’s situation is far more common than you might think. A lot of people assume that getting a document notarized is as simple as showing up, signing a paper, and walking away with a stamp. But here’s the thing—a notary isn’t just a stamp dispenser.

My job is to verify who you are and ensure you’re signing willingly and knowingly. If something is missing, incorrect, or doesn’t match up, I legally can’t proceed.

And unfortunately, Lisa had hit three of the most common roadblocks:

✅ Blank spaces: Many forms require all sections to be filled out before notarization. If key details are missing, the notary can’t proceed.

✅ Mismatched names: Lisa’s father’s full name was “Robert James Smith,” but the document listed him as “Bob Smith.” That small difference? A huge problem.

✅ Signing too soon: Many notarized documents require signatures to be made in front of the notary—not in advance. Lisa had already signed, which meant we needed a fresh, unsigned copy.

How to Make Notarization a Breeze

I could see the stress on Lisa’s face. She was already juggling enough with her father’s health condition and legal matters, and now she had another problem to solve.

But here’s the good news: these mistakes are 100% avoidable.

Want to walk into your notary appointment like a pro? Follow these three simple steps:

1️⃣ Double-check your document. Look for missing information, blank spaces, and name inconsistencies before you arrive.

2️⃣ Bring the right ID. Make sure it matches the name on your document exactly. I can accept expired identification up to 3 years.

3️⃣ Don’t sign ahead of time! Always wait until you’re in front of the notary to sign.

Bonus tip: Call ahead! A quick chat with your notary can save you from running into last-minute surprises.

The Happy Ending

Back to Lisa—she took a deep breath and did what any smart person does when faced with a hiccup. She pivoted.

We made a few calls, got a corrected document, and arranged a second meeting later that day. This time, she showed up with everything in order. Within minutes, I stamped the paperwork, and she was good to go.

As she packed up, she laughed. “Wow, I had no idea this stuff could get so tricky. Thank you for saving me from a total meltdown.”

And that’s why I do what I do. Because getting a document notarized shouldn’t be stressful. A little preparation goes a long way—and when in doubt, I’m always here to help.

📞 Need a mobile notary who makes the process easy? Call or text me today!