Frequently Asked Questions

A notary public is a state-appointed official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and verify the identity of signers on important documents. Notaries help prevent fraud by ensuring that signers are who they claim to be and are signing documents willingly and knowingly.

Most documents can be notarized, including real estate deeds, powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, loan documents, wills, trusts, healthcare directives, business agreements, and more. However, certain documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and court documents cannot be notarized.

You need to bring: (1) A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), (2) The unsigned document (do not sign before meeting the notary), and (3) Any additional signers who need to be present. All signers must appear in person with valid identification.

No. You must sign the document in the presence of the notary. If a document is already signed, the notary cannot notarize it. This is a legal requirement to ensure the notary personally witnesses the signing and can verify the signer's identity and willingness to sign.

Notarial act fees are set by Georgia Law and charged $2 per signature. Mobile notary services include additional travel fees based on location and zone. Additional service fees may apply for time-sensitive scheduling, after-hours service, weekend appointments, and special handling. Contact us for a detailed quote based on your specific needs.

A mobile notary is a notary public who travels to your location for convenience. Instead of going to a notary office, we come to your home, office, hospital, or any location that works for you. This service is especially helpful for those with mobility issues, busy schedules, or urgent document needs.

We serve all of Metro Atlanta, including Fulton, DeKalb, Fayette, and Clayton counties. Travel fees are based on ZIP code zones. Same-day service is available in most areas. Contact us to confirm service availability in your specific location.

Yes! We offer same-day appointments based on availability. For urgent needs, we also provide rush service with expedited scheduling. Evening and weekend appointments are available with additional fees. Contact us as early as possible to ensure we can accommodate your timeline.

We recommend scheduling at least 24-48 hours in advance when possible. However, we understand that urgent situations arise, and we do our best to accommodate same-day requests. For loan signings and complex document packages, earlier scheduling ensures we have adequate time to review requirements.

We understand that plans change. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. We appreciate as much notice as possible for cancellations. Cancellations made after travel has begun or upon arrival may be subject to a travel or convenience fee, depending on circumstances.

An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country. It's required under the Hague Convention for documents being used internationally in member countries. The apostille verifies the signature, seal, and authority of the official who signed the document.

Common documents requiring apostilles include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, educational diplomas and transcripts, corporate documents, powers of attorney, and notarized affidavits. The requirement depends on the destination country and the document's intended use.

Standard processing typically takes 2-4 weeks for state-level apostilles and 4-8 weeks for federal apostilles. Expedited service is available for faster processing (3-5 business days for state, 1-2 weeks for federal). Processing times are controlled by the issuing agencies and cannot be guaranteed. Government filing fees are billed separately where applicable.

State apostilles are issued by the Georgia Secretary of State for documents notarized by Georgia notaries or issued by Georgia state agencies. Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State for federal documents like FBI background checks or documents from federal agencies. The type needed depends on the document's origin.

Apostilles are recognized by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (over 120 countries). For non-member countries, documents require authentication through the U.S. Department of State and legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate. We can help determine what your specific situation requires.

A loan signing agent is a notary public with specialized training in handling real estate loan documents. We guide borrowers through mortgage, refinance, and home equity loan document packages, ensuring all signatures and initials are completed correctly and returned to the title company or lender promptly.

No. Georgia is an attorney-only closing state. Loan signings must be conducted under the supervision of a licensed Georgia attorney. A notary signing agent may assist with document execution only when engaged by or working in coordination with the supervising attorney, lender, title company, or signing service.

Yes! We work with numerous title companies, escrow offices, and lending institutions throughout Metro Atlanta. We're experienced with various loan platforms and signing company requirements. If you're a title company or lender looking for reliable signing services, please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

Yes! We are a Georgia Secretary of State commissioned notary public with a $15,000 surety bond (required by law) and $100,000 Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance for your protection. We are also a National Notary Association Certified Signing Agent with background screening and continuing education.

Georgia law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents for immediate family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings. This prevents conflicts of interest and ensures impartiality. We can refer you to another qualified notary if you need documents notarized for family members.

The signer must be able to communicate directly with the notary in a language both parties understand. If the signer doesn't speak English and the notary doesn't speak the signer's language, a qualified interpreter may be present. However, the notary must still be able to communicate with the signer to verify their understanding and willingness to sign.

Yes, notaries can notarize documents written in foreign languages. However, the notary certificate (the notarial wording) must be in English. The notary doesn't need to understand the document's content, but must be able to communicate with the signer to verify their identity and willingness to sign.

Notarization itself doesn't expire - it certifies that the signature was witnessed on a specific date. However, some organizations or agencies may have their own requirements for how recent a notarization must be. For example, some banks may require documents notarized within the last 30-90 days. Check with the receiving party for their specific requirements.

All services are provided by appointment only. Availability is confirmed based on location, document type, number of signers, and timing requirements. Walk-ins are not accepted. Contact us via phone, email, or our online booking form to schedule your appointment.

All signers must present valid, current, government-issued photo identification at the time of notarization, as required by Georgia law. Acceptable ID includes: driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Documents must be unsigned prior to notarization.

Yes. Clear Seal Mobile Notary & Apostille is fully commissioned by the State of Georgia and operates in full compliance with all Georgia notary laws and professional requirements.

Notarial act fees are set by Georgia law and are charged per signature. Additional service fees may apply for: mobile travel (based on ZIP code zone), time-sensitive or priority scheduling, concierge apostille coordination, extended wait time or special handling. All fees are disclosed and agreed upon prior to confirmation.

Any required parking, access, or entry fees at the service location are calculated into the total service fee when applicable and disclosed prior to confirmation. This ensures transparency and no surprise charges.

Yes! For certain personal (non-business) notarizations, Clear Seal may offer appointments at designated public locations, such as libraries, to provide a professional, neutral setting and help reduce travel-related costs. Residential notarizations are provided when appropriate and subject to safety, identification, and readiness requirements. Public meeting locations may be offered as an alternative for personal notarizations.

Payment is due at the time of service, unless otherwise agreed in advance. Payments for Clear Seal Mobile Notary & Apostille services are processed through Alchemist of Love Ministry, the governing organization under which this program operates. Accepted payment methods will be confirmed at scheduling.

Clients are asked to provide as much notice as possible if an appointment must be canceled or rescheduled. Cancellations made after travel has begun or upon arrival may be subject to a travel or convenience fee, depending on circumstances. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Appointments are scheduled based on an estimated service duration. If signers are not ready at the scheduled time (e.g., missing ID, missing signers, incomplete documents), extended wait time may result in additional fees or require rescheduling. Please ensure all parties and documents are ready before the scheduled appointment.

Clear Seal Mobile Notary & Apostille does not provide legal advice, does not prepare, draft, or select documents, and does not advise on document content or legal effect. Clients are responsible for ensuring documents are complete and appropriate for their intended use. Please consult an attorney for legal guidance.

Apostille services involve coordination with state or federal authorities. Processing times are controlled by the issuing agencies and cannot be guaranteed. We provide estimated timelines based on current processing standards, but actual times may vary. Government filing fees are billed separately where applicable.

Yes. Clear Seal reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service if: identification requirements are not met, signers appear unwilling, unaware, or coerced, the request violates Georgia notary law, or the environment is unsafe or inappropriate. This ensures compliance with legal requirements and professional standards.

Clear Seal Mobile Notary & Apostille is committed to: respectful communication, professional boundaries, privacy and discretion, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Clients are expected to interact respectfully and provide accurate information when requesting service. We maintain the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions.