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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

What do I do if a customer's signature isn't legible?

By NNA Staff on November 1, 2021

When the signer's signature on the ID is a scribble, and is not the complete name as shown on the mortgage documents, and the client must sign docs as shown in the docs, how do I handle the notarization? — K.R., California

You should obtain instructions for how the signer should sign the loan documents from the lender or title company.

There are no laws that indicate that the signers must sign legibly.  The law generally regards any scribble or scrawl of a person’s name as a valid signature.

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

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.



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10 Comments

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robertscannell@gmail.com

01 Nov 2021

I am an experienced NSA and may be moving to California from New Hampshire. What steps do I need to do to to move my NSA business and what is it like being an NSA in the Sacramento area?

National Notary Association

03 Nov 2021

Hello. If you move to California, you will need to resign your New Hampshire commission and apply for a new Notary commission in California. More information is available here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/california

lucy ramirez

08 Nov 2021

I got confused with the credible witness are we able to notarized documents if we don't have any information just the agent for a power of attorney?

National Notary Association

12 Nov 2021

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

CDCASSISTANT@ROYSECITY.COM

28 Jul 2022

I JUST FILLED OUT MY APPLICATION, BUT BEFORE I SIGN, NEED TO KNOW: MY NORMAL SIGNATURE IS NOT LEGIBLE, I READ WHAT WAS PUBLISHED ABOVE ABOUT A SIGNER, DOES IT ALSO APPLY TO THE NOTARY OR DO I HAVE TO CHANGE MY SIGNATURE FOR THE SAKE OF THE SEAL AND NOTARY DUTIES?

National Notary Association

10 Aug 2022

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are applying in?

Terri Kotchevar

09 Aug 2022

I use my employer's business address for my notary mailing address and do 99.9% of my notarizations for my employer. I will soon be moving to a nearby county different from the county where my employer is located (and my oath and bond are filed), but I will still be working for the same employer in the original county. Do I need to file a change of address if my business address and county are not changing? (California)

National Notary Association

19 Aug 2022

Notaries who move their business, residence and/or mailing address must inform the Secretary of State in writing, by certified mail or any means of physical delivery that produces a receipt, within 30 days of the move. Willful failure to do so may result in a fine of up to $500 (GC 8213.5). A letter or the Secretary’s change of address form, available on the website, may be used (NPH). “A notification of address change cannot be accepted by fax or email” (NN, 2014). Because California Notaries have statewide jurisdiction, Notaries who move their principal place of business from one county to another need not refile their oath and bond in the new county. If they choose to do so, however, they must file either a new bond or a duplicate of the original bond and a new oath. Within 30 days of the filing, they must obtain a new seal bearing the name of the new county (GC 8213[b]).

dssthenotary@gmail.com

09 Sep 2023

Hello, I am a notary in California , what should I have clients sign if their legal signature on their ID is not legible can they sign just as on the loan document . It was not specified on the loan docs. How about for my signature too when I notarize.

National Notary Association

11 Sep 2023

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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