Take heart, campers—we’re FINALLY going to shoot this notary FAQ pup once and for all today. Let’s not waste time in doing so, shall we?

Can a Texas notary make any changes or corrections to notarized documents?

No. Once a document is notarized, it must not be altered. If changes are necessary, a new document must be executed with a new notarization. All steps must be followed properly, including the personal appearance of the signers involved.

Can a Texas notary translate documents?

Yes, a Texas notary may serve as a translator, but only if another notary performs the notarial duties required for the execution of the document. A Texas notary must not perform both notarial and translation duties for the same document.

(COY’S NOTE:) We at CoyRH/SEATC Clerical don’t do translations ourselves and speak no other languages but English. Our policy on translations is basically this–the CLIENT is primarily responsible for providing their own translator who themselves are willing to go through the appropriate signing, oath/affirmation, and ID requirements if a translator is required for the purposes of the notarial session. Failure to provide such ARE considered grounds by us to refuse notarial services.

Can a Texas notary notarize for minors?

Yes. A Texas notary can notarize for a minor, if the notary can determine that the minor understands the act taking place, and if the notary is able to properly identify the minor.

Can a Texas notary refuse to perform notarial acts?

A Texas notary can refuse to notarize if:

A signer you don’t know personally has no identification

A signer refuses to complete blank spaces

A signer appears frightened or confused about the notary act or appears unwilling to sign the document

A signer behaves in a threatening manner toward you

You do not have your notary seal with you at the time

A signer refuses to appear before you personally

A signer refuses to take an oath as required, or to verbally acknowledge signing the document presented

You have information about the transaction that reveals it is fraudulent or unlawful

You and the signer are unable to speak the same language and have no interpreter

A document presented to be copied is a public record or publicly recordable document

You are involved in the transaction or stand to gain in any way

You are unfamiliar with the notarial act to be performed

Can a Texas notary backdate dates on documents?

No. Notarial certificates must bear the date the notarization took place.

What is a venue?

The venue is the location (county and state) where you and your signer are standing when the notary act takes place. It is commonly shown in a notarial certificate as:

State of Texas

County of ______________

[SOURCE: Website of the American Association of Notaries (texasnotary.com)]

Here’s hoping the above clears some matters up when it comes to notary public services here in Texas. The more pressing point I’m concerned about making here is how seriously you should take your commitments to others and the dramatic effects your failure to keep said commitments can have on others. If I wind up getting involved as a notary public in your particular case and you wind up in trouble despite my best efforts otherwise, don’t blame me if you wind up in TDCJ over what might be really stupid stuff here. Let’s hope instead that the penalties you might suffer for the violations against others won’t be as severe as

the penalties handled by a judge in state district court.

Again, I remind you of the diagram:

                           A uthority

                           B attle

                           E nabling

                           P rotection

                           P rovision

“And Moshe spoke unto the children of Israel…Whatever a man shall vow, he shall do EXACTLY as he has said…” Let’s do our best to once again make our words and actions our bonds like it used to be with our frontier ancestors, shall we? In the trying times we all live in now, they could be the only things left available to use to not only survive, but continue to thrive in Him.

Next week, we’ll put the final cherry on top of this Numbers 30 thing. Until next time (as He allows), see ya at the CROSSroads–

Coy RH