FAQs

1. What forms of payment do you accept?

• Cash

• Checks (Made out to Ink Pott Notary Services)

• Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express)

2. What is a notarial act?
   An official, fraud-deterrent procedure performed by a state-appointed notary public to authenticate documents and verify signers' identities, willingness, and awareness. These acts include taking acknowledgments, administering oaths, witnessing signatures, and certifying copies to ensure document integrity. ³

3. Can you notarize for family?

No. You cannot perform a notarial act for any individual for whom you may have any potential financial or beneficial interest.  We also cannot notarize our own signature. ²

4. How do you determine your prices?

In the state of Michigan, notaries are allowed to charge a max of $10 per notarial act. This means per signature/act. Travel fees may be charged by a notary as a separate, reasonable, and pre-agreed fee.¹

5. Can you notarize outside of Michigan?
   No, we are limited to the jurisdiction of Michigan and must be physically in Michigan to notarize.¹

6. Can you do electronic notarizing or remote notarizing?

No. Currently not at this time. I would love to, but there is an additional cost to be able to get a license to approved software and tools.

7. What is a notary journal? Why do I have sign it? How long do you keep it?

It is a journal of the notarial acts the notary has performed. Although it is not required, it is beneficial in the instance of having to testify in court regarding a notarial act and shows the paper trail against forgery and fraud. This protects the notary and those for whom the notarial act is performed. Standard retention is 10 years.¹ ⁵

• Date, time, and nature of the notarial act. 

• Full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed

• Signature of the individuals for whom the notarial act is performed

• Identification method (Driver's License, Passport, State ID, Personally Known)

• Fee charged¹
  
  

8. Where can you verify that your notary is licensed?

• Go to https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP

• Scroll down to Notary Services (On the left third of the page)

• Click Michigan Notary Public Search

• You can search by several criteria, including first name, last name, county, active notaries only, expiration, and notary type.
  
  

9. Interested in becoming a notary, too?
   You can apply online. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/notary-application. This website will also share the details of the additional requirements.
   
   

10. Can you give legal advice?
    No. Notary publics are not lawyers. We cannot provide any legal advice.²

11. What is a medallion signature guarantee?

This is similar to notarizing on a surface but different. You must obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or credit union officer, trust company, or member of the U.S. Stock Exchange. Notaries cannot perform this act. The financial institution that does the guarantee assumes the liability for any forged or unauthorized signatures. They are required when large sums of money are involved in a transaction that requires signed forms.⁶

References

1. “How to Become a Notary in Michigan: AAN.” American Association of Notaries, Inc - Michigan Notary, January 2024. https://www.michigannotarypublic.com/become-a-notary.

2. “Michigan Legislature.” MCL - Section 55.291 - Michigan Legislature, October 5, 2006. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-55-291.

3. notary2pro. “What Are Notarial Acts, Why Should Notaries’ Public and Loan Signing Agents Track Them, and How Do They Affect Your Taxes?” Notary2Pro, September 24, 2023. https://notary2pro.com/what-are-notarial-acts-why-should-notaries-public-and-loan-signing-agents-track-them-and-how-do-they-affect-your-taxes/.

4. “How to Become a Notary in Michigan: AAN.” American Association of Notaries, Inc - Michigan Notary, January 2024. https://www.michigannotarypublic.com/become-a-notary.

5. Thun, David. “Why Notaries Should Always Keep a Journal.” National Notary Association, February 9, 2026. https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/06/take-care-notary-journals-need-them.

6. “What Is a Medallion Signature Guarantee?” Vanguard. Accessed March 26, 2026. https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/faqs/what-is-a-medallion-signature-guarantee-and-do-i-need-one-for-my-transfer.