People use the notary for various reasons and it’s usually a very quick and easy process to get a document notarized. One of the biggest challenges notaries face is notarizing for prison inmates. Seeing as someone who is incarcerated does not have access to the usual requirements a person has, notary jail signings can be a complicated process. While there are a few extra steps in between, a jail mobile notary is possible. Here’s a guide on everything you need to know about the jail notary cost and process:
Contacting The Notary
The first step in notarizing for prison inmates is to contact the notary. This can be done in two ways: a family member of the inmate hires the notary from the outside, or the inmate themselves can request a notary appointment from their counselor. Once an appointment is made, the jail mobile notary and the inmate can begin the process of signing and notarizing important documents.
The Signer Must Present A Valid And Acceptable ID
One of the biggest hurdles encountered during notary jail signings is the inmate’s/client’s lack of proper identification. During the arrest and incarceration, all personal possessions are confiscated, typically including any and all forms of identification. Without a proper ID, the notary cannot officially notarize any documents.
Typically this can be remedied if the inmate works with a family member or friend on the outside who can provide the notary with the identification. If this is not feasible, some correctional facilities provide an inmate ID which can be a valid form of identification, depending on the state of incarceration. Be sure to have an ID before starting the notary process to avoid wasting time.
Possible Limited Interaction Between Signer And Notary
During the jail notary process, the signer and the notary have to meet in person. This means scheduling an appointment in jail to meet the inmate. This meeting will not be the usual notary, in fact, it is best to prepare for the lack of or at least limited interaction allowed between the signer and notary.
Inmates are not free to roam around in a relaxed environment. There will be tension during the appointment and notaries are advised to prepare to surrender a few personal belongings during the search before entering jail and seeing their client. To avoid bringing banned items, it is best to contact the jail or correctional facility regarding what a notary can and cannot bring to the jail.
Follow The State’s Laws On Notary
There are a few additional steps required for a successful jail mobile notary, but all are manageable. The important part is to always follow the laws regarding notarizing for prison inmates within the state of incarceration and where the jail notary is requested. This means abiding by all the essential steps needed for notarizing, such as the signer’s personal appearance and access to a valid ID.
All extra steps will be accounted for in the jail notary cost. As long as the notary coordinates with the correctional facility about meeting with the inmate, notaries should not be a big challenge, even for inmates.