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Notary Bulletin

Do I Need To Attach Additional Information When Notarizing A Grant Deed?

By NNA Staff on September 7, 2017

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When notarizing a grant deed, does a legal description need to be either attached or typed in the body of the document? — C.S., California

You are not responsible for the contents of the document except to review the document for blank spaces. If there is a space for the legal description in the body of the document, that space may not be left blank. Either the legal description or a notation, such as, “See Exhibit A” must be typed into that space and that exhibit with the legal description must be attached.

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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8 Comments

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Chad

11 Sep 2017

I am a notary in California. I know that I cannot sign or seal an acknowledgment form ahead of time and that I cannot fill in the signer's information. I have 2 questions" 1) Is it legal to prefill some of the generic information on the acknowledgment form (city, my name and title, strike through unused words/prefixes, etc.)? 2) If so, can I make myself a template that is already typed in to use when the situation aligns (making a form for an individual signer who is a male)? Thanks for the help.

National Notary Association

18 Sep 2017

Hello. There is nothing prohibiting you from filling in information in advance if appropriate. However, please remember that you should never sign your name or affix your seal ahead of time and should not provide unattached, signed and sealed certificate wording to another person.

Chad

11 Sep 2017

I am a notary in California. I know that I cannot sign or seal an acknowledgment form ahead of time and that I cannot fill in the signer's information. I have 2 questions" 1) Is it legal to prefill some of the generic information on the acknowledgment form (city, my name and title, strike through unused words/prefixes, etc.)? 2) If so, can I make myself a template that is already typed in to use when the situation aligns (making a form for an individual signer who is a male)? Thanks for the help.

melissa mayfield

12 Dec 2017

Very helpful info. Thank you

ALTAGRACIA A URREA

25 Apr 2018

doe the notary seal and notary's signature have to be on the grant deed instead of a separate acknowledgment page?

National Notary Association

25 Apr 2018

Hello. The standard guideline is that the Notary is required to place their signature and seal on the Notary certificate. So if the document has no pre-printed wording, no seal or signature should be affixed; if there is pre-printed certificate wording and there is no room for the seal, the Notary must attached a certificate. If a loose certificate is used it is the only piece of paper that should have the seal image and signature.

Jon Cropsey

12 Dec 2020

Would a grant deed that has a notary stamp but no signatures on it be an illegal document that can never be used?

National Notary Association

14 Dec 2020

Hello. Any questions about the legal validity of a deed would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

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