Frequently Asked Questions

About Appointments

Q. How do I schedule an appointment and what kind of availability do you have?

The best way to schedule an appointment is to call me or text me at 573-513-2724. You can also email me at SESSNotary@yahoo.com, but I don't recommend this method of contact if you need services quickly.

I'm available during regular and after-business hours-- up to 8 PM, weekends, and even holidays. While I prefer 24 hours' notice, I may be available for same-day service in some cases.

Q. What do I need to have for my appointment?

A valid government-issued ID is a necessity. Your appointment cannot proceed without it. You will also need your unsigned documents and any required witnesses. Some documents may require a second form of ID such as a social security card.

Types of Notary Services

Q. What kinds of documents do you notarize?

I handle powers of attorney, wills, affidavits, real estate forms, loan packages, medical authorizations, and more.

Q. What is a mobile Notary?

A mobile Notary travels to clients to provide notary services instead of the other way around. I can travel to whatever location is convenient for you-- your home, the hospital, nursing home, and more. Mobile Notaries provide a necessary service to people that may not be able to leave their location due to health or mobility issues. They're also valuable to people who can't afford to take off work to find a Notary in-office or to people that just prefer the convenience of having a Notary come to them.

As a mobile Notary, I can provide my services to those that need them just about anywhere and at times that are more convenient for them.

Q. What is a loan signing agent?

A loan signing agent is a notary with experience and/ or training to handle mortgage loan packages including refinances, purchases, and HELOCs. A loan signing agent can collect your documents package from you in person, or you can request that your bank send the package directly to the loan signing agent electronically. Your loan signing agent will locate all the necessary signature spaces and initialing spaces and then sit down with you to walk you through the paperwork to ensure that documents are filled out properly and to notarize where necessary. Loan signing agents help ensure that there are no delays in your home loan by making sure important details aren't missed and everything is accurate and done correctly.

Q. What is RON and how does it work?

RON stands for "remote online notarization". Notaries Public in Missouri that pass a test can then register with the state to provide electronic notarizations or RONs to anyone within the United States. RON can only be used for acknowledgments and jurats when performed in Missouri.

A notary that is registered to perform RONs chooses a state-approved, secure online platform in order to perform notarizations over the internet. Both the Notary and the signer(s) must have access to highspeed internet, a webcam, and a microphone.

The platform I am using is called Blue Notary. To hire me for RONs, you will send me your document(s) so that I can look them over for missing information and to ensure that the attached notarial certificate is Missouri compliant. At your appointment time, I will send you a link inviting you to join the notarization session. The notarization would then proceed more or less the same as it would in person, and you will receive a copy of your notarized document at the end of the session. Please note that I do not provide loan signing services over RON sessions.

Fees & Payments

Q. How much do you charge for your services?

The maximum allowable charge for notarizations in Missouri is $5 per signature. However, Missouri allows Notaries to charge other fees such as service, convenience, mileage, and tech fees. These fees are allowed, but not required by law, and must be agreed upon between the Notary and the signer prior to their appointment.

The cost of your signing appointment will vary depending on the type of signing, the distance, the time, and the number of notarizations. Appointments M-F after 5 PM, weekend appointments, and holidays will have a higher service fee than those scheduled for regular business hours. Mileage/ travel fees are round-trip with 10 miles being free.

The best way to save on jurats and acknowledgments is to book a RON appointment as RONs do not involve a travel fee. (RONs cannot be used for loan signings.)

In the event that a signer is unprepared for their appointment and a second trip is necessary, they will incur new fees.

Q. How do I pay?

For mobile notary services I can accept debit and credit cards. I will email or text you a link to a Square generated invoice where you can make payment. Cash, check, debit-at-signing are only allowed for known, long-term clients. Payment must be made to secure your appointment time.

RONs will pay through the Blue Notary website. Payment will be required to receive your notarized document.

Q. What is your refund policy?

Please see the homepage. In the bottom right corner, you will find a link to my refund policy, or you can click here.

Legal & ID Questions

Q. Can you draft or explain legal documents for me?

No. I am not legally allowed to draft legal documents, explain them, or give advice or opinions on them. In the case of mortgage documents, for example, I can tell you what a document's purpose is and help you locate information within them, but that is all. Doing anything more would fall under the practice of law. If you have any questions about the information contained within your legal document, please contact your lawyer or loan officer for assistance.

Q. What if I don't have a valid ID?

Missouri law requires satisfactory evidence of identity. A driver's license is the most common form of ID, but there are other options. State-issued nondriver ID cards, U.S. passports, U.S. military IDs, Tribal ID cards, Permanent Resident cards are also acceptable forms of ID. If none of these are available, a credible witness may sometimes be used, but strict rules apply-- please ask before booking.