Barraza Notary Services

A Notary Public is a person who is authorized by the government to verify the authenticity of signatures on legal documents, administer oaths, and perform other official acts. Notaries are typically appointed by the state governments and are responsible for ensuring that legal documents are properly executed and authenticated. 

An online notary public is a commissioned notary public who has the authority to perform a remote online notarization using an audio-visual conference rather than having the individual physically appear before the notary at the time of the notarization. 

There are several types of notary services available, including document notarization, real estate notarization, mobile notary services, online notary services, and power of attorney notarization. Each type of notary service is designed to meet specific legal requirements and can be tailored to the needs of the client. 

The notarization process typically involves verifying the identity of the signer, ensuring that the document is properly executed and signed, and affixing my official seal to the document. I may also be required to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer, depending on the type of document. 

The notarization process typically involves verifying the identity of the signer, ensuring that the document is properly executed and signed, and affixing my official seal to the document. I may also be required to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer, depending on the type of document. 

Yes, Online Notarizations are legal and were legalized in Texas as of July 2018 under Texas H.B. 1217. Below are the Texas Statutes regarding Notaries and Online Notaries.

TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH
SUBTITLE A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
CHAPTER 406. NOTARY PUBLIC;  COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS
SUBCHAPTER A. NOTARY PUBLIC

Sec. 406.016.  AUTHORITY.  

(a)  A notary public has the same authority as the county clerk to:
  (1)  take acknowledgments or proofs of written instruments;
  (2)  protest instruments permitted by law to be protested;
  (3)  administer oaths;
  (4)  take depositions;  and
  (5)  certify copies of documents not recordable in the public records.
(b)  A notary public shall sign an instrument in Subsection (a) in the name under which the notary public is commissioned.
(c)  A notary public may not issue an identification card.
(d)  A notary public not licensed to practice law in this state may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

Sec. 406.106.  PERFORMANCE OF NOTARIAL ACTS.  

An online notary public:
(1)  is a notary public for purposes of Subchapter A and is subject to that subchapter to the same extent as a notary public appointed and commissioned under that subchapter;
(2)  may perform notarial acts as provided by Subchapter A in addition to performing online notarizations; and
(3)  may perform an online notarization authorized under this subchapter.

Sec. 406.107.  AUTHORITY TO PERFORM ONLINE NOTARIZATIONS.  

An online notary public has the authority to perform any of the functions authorized under Section 406.016 as an online notarization.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE
TITLE 10.  USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUBTITLE B.  ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
CHAPTER 322.  UNIFORM ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS ACT

Sec. 322.011.  NOTARIZATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.  

If a law requires a signature or record to be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the requirement is satisfied if the electronic signature of the person authorized to perform those acts, together with all other information required to be included by other applicable law, is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record.

While mobile notaries require travel to perform in-person notarizations, remote notaries connect with customers online using a secure two-way audio/video call. With remote online notaries, there is no need to have to travel to meet a notary or have a notary come to your home; you can get your document notarized online in the convenience of your home or remote location via your computer, tablet, or phone. 

All you’ll need is a device, like a tablet, phone, or computer, with internet access, a microphone, and a camera.

Online notarizations have strict requirements that must be met in order to be compliant with state law, therefore notaries must utilize tools that securely verify and protect the signers identity. The signers are required to verify the identification through digital technology, answer knowledge-based assessment questions, and verify their identity again with the notary, as required by law. Each notarization is recorded and the notary is required to maintain commissions with the state and any additional requirement that allows for online notarizations, such as a digital certificate. 

From start to finish, the average time takes less than 20 minutes; and your document is available for download immediately after the session is completed.

Below are some examples of documents that can be notarized online:

• Transfer of property ownership
• Real Estate Documents
• Residential Loan documents
• Loan closings
• Title Escrow closings
• Deeds of Easement
• Quit Claim Deed
• Deeds Releases
• Grant Deeds
• Lien Releases
• Mortgage closings
• Real Estate
• Lease Agreements
• Vehicle Title Transfer
• Government Forms
• Promissory Notes
• Acknowledgements
• Jurats
• Affirmations
• Affidavits
• Pre-Marital Agreements
• Dissolution of Marriage
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Bank Power of Attorney
• Certified Copy of Power of Attorney
• Medical treatment consent
• Advanced Medical Directives
• Medical records
• Living Trust Documents
• Oaths, Sworn in for Testimony
• Protesting a bill for non-payment
• Prison Inmate documents
• Pension and Retirement documents
• Investment Documents
• Personal Statements
• DMV Traffic School Final Exam
• Certified Copy non-recordable documents
• Declaration of lost or stolen passport
• Business contracts
• Incorporation’s
• Business Partnerships
• Professional licensing
• Employment forms
• Business documents
• Financial documents
• Documents for Apostilles
• Foreign Adoptions
• Adoption papers
• Proof of residence
• School district residency
• Declaration of guardianship
• Name Changes
• Travel Consent
• Declaration of common law union
• And more!

• Birth and Death Certificates:
  • These are recordable documents, and a certified copy can only be issued by the governmental agency. However, a notary public has the authority to certify copies of original documents that are not recordable in the public records.
• Wills:
  • These documents require wet signatures, unfortunately we can not remotely notarize a document that does not allow for electronic signatures. If you are in the Boerne area, reach out and we can schedule a mobile notarization. 
• Photographs:
  • Notarizing photographs is not an authorized notarial act. However, we can notarize a statement about a photograph with the photograph as an attachment.
• Names or IDs that don’t match the signer’s information:
  • The name on the document does not match the name on the ID.
• Faxed or copied signatures:
  • A photocopied signature may never be notarized.
• Backdate or forward date a notarization:
  • We cannot backdate or forward date a notarization. The document can bear the date it is created or becomes effective, but document is notarized with the date the notarization occurs.
• Preparing or choosing the document:
  • Notaries are prohibited from preparing or choosing the documents for signing.

• Birth Certificates 
• Death Certificates
• Marriage Certificates 
• Power of Attorney
• Articles of Incorporation
• Corporate Documents
• Agreements
• Divorce Records
• Passport Copies
• Immigration Documents
• Name Change Forms
• Diplomas
• FBI Background Checks
• Other Federal Documents 
• and more

Contact me to find out if your document is eligible for an apostille  

Processing timeframes depend on the document that needs to be apostilled and the location where the document originated. Contact me to find out if your document is eligible for an apostille and what the estimated timeframe would be.

Shipping times vary based on carrier and type of shipping requested (USPS, UPS, FedEx, First Class, Expedited, Overnight, etc.)