Notary Supplies That Every Notary Should Have!

The notary is a public officer and, as such, is required to comply with any reasonable request for notarization. Whether you are a notary with your own notary signing service or an employee notary, it is a good idea to keep essential notary supplies with you at all times so that you may be ready to adequately and efficiently serve the public upon request.

The two most important tools for every notary are, of course, the self-inking notary stamp and metal embosser seal. The notary stamp that contains your current notary commission information will be applied to every document that is notarized. The notary metal embosser makes the raised impression containing the notary's information on a document and is often asked to be added to certain documents being used in official business, foreign transactions, or on instruments that may be recorded in the county clerk's office.

Besides the stamp and seal, a good notary will also carry loose notarial certificates; these are essential notary supplies that will come in handy when the notary is presented with a document that does not contain notarial language at the bottom. The notary can allow the client to choose from a loose acknowledgment or jurat certificates depending on what type of notarial language is required to complete the notarization properly.

To keep a record of notarial acts, it is sound notarial practice to maintain a notary record book or journal in which may be recorded a history of each notary act the notary performs, along with any fees charged.

Along with the journal, a notary may wish to have an inkless thumb printer to take the right thumbprint of the signer to add to the journal record. The record book entry, along with the signer's thumbprint provides excellent proof of the properly executed notary transaction in case questions arise later about what took place.

For protection, it is a good idea to carry an error's and omissions insurance policy in the case of unintentional errors during a notarial transaction.

Post a fee chart at the place where your services are provided that prominently displays the fees for each type of notarial act as provided by law and any other fees for additional services.

Keep an invoice book handy as well to give to the client a record of the fees they paid at the end of the transaction.

To promote your notarial career, you may benefit by making up attractive business cards that advertise your notarial services; this will enable your clients to remember your good work if they ever need notarial services again and also to recommend your services to others.