How to get a document notarized during social distancing?

April 16, 2020 9:51 AM

In the upcoming week, I have some rental assistance documents that need to be notarized. Are notaries even available still? Can this service be provided digitally or through video conferencing somehow? Tampa Bay, Florida here.
posted by caveatz to Work & Money (12 answers total)

Many banks and credit unions still have staff at physical locations, and have a high likelyhood of having notaries on staff.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:54 AM on April 16, 2020 [3 favorites]

Notaries are allowed to notarize via webcam during this current pandemic.
posted by wile e at 9:57 AM on April 16, 2020 [7 favorites]

Funny, Lifehacker just posted about this half an hour ago.
posted by mezzanayne at 10:01 AM on April 16, 2020 [1 favorite]

We're in a state that doesn't allow remote notarization (with a few temporary exceptions), and my cousin is hiring a mobile notary for some documents.
posted by DoubleLune at 10:04 AM on April 16, 2020

The UPS Store in my town is open and has notary service.
posted by songs about trains at 10:06 AM on April 16, 2020 [2 favorites]

I got a document notarized at UPS store two weeks ago.
posted by honeybee413 at 11:04 AM on April 16, 2020

I've used the Notarize app many times before the pandemic. So easy and convenient every time.
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 11:19 AM on April 16, 2020 [2 favorites]

My bank, (Chase in NY) did it for me last week.
posted by AugustWest at 12:22 PM on April 16, 2020

I'm a notary and have been notarizing documents either in my driveway or over Zoom (which has been authorized in my state). It's kinda fun to learn. There is a "Find a notary" page that indicates that this person has mobile notary services in your area. Here's the state of Florida's "find a notary" page.
posted by jessamyn at 1:49 PM on April 16, 2020 [4 favorites]

onlinenotary.net worked for me, though the company receiving the digital document turned out to have its own weird policies about accepting digitally created signatures, so I had to separately white-out, hand-sign, hand-initial, and resubmit two printed-out pages of the document I'd already had notarized. Be sure to check the policies of the company that will be receiving the document to avoid delays. This blog post has some more info about the current legality of online notarization across various states.
posted by limeonaire at 2:52 PM on April 16, 2020

I've had great results with thebestnotary.net especially because they can make sure you are using the exact right documents for your purpose.
posted by jander03 at 3:49 PM on April 16, 2020 [1 favorite]

I can second the Notarize app. I used it for my divorce where I live outside the US and notary services like that don't really exist here. Was perfectly acceptable for Texas, don't know if it is ok for Florida.
posted by LizBoBiz at 5:26 AM on April 17, 2020