My boss was emailed a document requiring a notarization.  However, when I opened the PDF, I noticed that there was no signature and no certificate wording.  How would  I notarize this document? — D.F., San Francisco, California

It depends. If your boss is not the signer, you could not notarize the document. Every document you notarize must contain a signature and the signer needs to be physically present at the time of notarization to sign it in front of you. A Notary cannot just stamp and sign a document without a notarial certificate, though many people mistakenly ask them to do so.

If your boss is the signer, you may notarize the document after your boss appears in your presence to sign it. Additionally, your boss will need to tell you whether to attach and complete an acknowledgment or jurat form, or you’ll need to find out which one to complete by asking an attorney at your company or someone from the agency that emailed you the document.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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