Is a notarized copy as good as the original?

The good news is that there is practically no difference. While certified copies usually refer to the copies of vital records that you can get only from the county clerk or another official custodian, the terms certified and notarized copies of documents can be used interchangeably for the most part.

Can a signed document be legal without being notarized?

Just like wills, there is generally no requirement that a contract be notarized in order to be legally binding. Having a notary present when these types of contracts are signed isn’t necessary for the contract itself to be legal, but it may come in handy if the contract is ever disputed in court.

Is a copy of a signed contract legally binding?

The parties do not necessarily have to sign the same copy of the contract in order for it to be binding. If the parties do sign different copies of the contract, they must agree that each of their signature pages together constitute a complete executed agreement.

What is the difference between a scanned copy and a photocopy?

If the machine is a photocopier, it simply prints the digital image onto one or more blank sheets of paper. If the machine is a scanner, it stores a digital copy of the image and transmits it to a computer (via email or network), or stores it on a USB or memory card.

Can you notarize a document that has already been signed?

As long as the signer is personally present before the notary and acknowledges the signature, then the notary can proceed with performing the notarial act. If the document has already been signed, the signer can sign his or her name again above or next to the first signature. You can then proceed with the notarization.

What is the difference between certified copy and notarized copy?

A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a primary document that has on it an endorsement or certificate that it is a true copy of the primary document. A notarized copy is signed by a notary public (not to be confused with a notary in a civil law country).

What is the difference between notary and true copy?

Certified True (or Notarized) Copies are the only service a Notary Public can provide you without a signatory present. Instead, the Notary requires only the original document to be present. Then the stamped papers are original documents for the Notary to make certified copies from.

What makes a contract legal?

The basic elements required for the agreement to be a legally enforceable contract are: mutual assent, expressed by a valid offer and acceptance; adequate consideration; capacity; and legality. Contracts are promises that the law will enforce.

Can a notary public supervise the making of a photocopy?

(12) (a) A notary public may supervise the making of a photocopy of an original document and attest to the trueness of the copy, provided the document is neither a vital record in this state, another state, a territory of the United States, or another country, nor a public record, if a copy can be made by the custodian of the public record.

Is it safe to sign a contract without a notarized document?

A document that’s notarized is a secure way to sign the contract, but the document will still be legally binding without being notarized. It’s important to be careful how you word the document, as you’ll need to include all essential terms.

What kind of seal do you put on a notarized document?

The rubber stamp seal must be affixed to the notarized paper document in photographically reproducible black ink. Every notary public shall print, type, or stamp below his or her signature on a paper document his or her name exactly as commissioned.

What is the difference between a contract and a notary public?

The contract will still be legally binding, but the judge can interpret the words on their own terms. A notary public is basically someone from the secretary of state who acts as an impartial witness for the public in a range of official fraud-deterrence.