Frequently Asked Questions

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A notary public is a state official appointed by the government to determine the identity of the person appearing before them, witness and certify the signing of legal documents. 

 The following can be notarized in-person or online:

• Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Healthcare Directives
• Employment Documents
• School Documents
• Certified Copies (RON limitations apply)
• Medical Documents
• Bank Documents
• Guardianship Documents
• Refinance Documents
• Home Purchase Documents
• Seller Documents
• Reverse Mortgage Applications
• Reverse Mortgages
• Loan Modifications
• Quit Claim Deeds
• Affidavit of Heirship
• Affidavit of Residence
• Affidavit of Name Change
• Affidavit of Support
• Affidavit of Service
• Affidavit of Separation
• Financial Affidavit
• Court Affidavits
• Custody Agreements
• Bills of Sale
• Driver License Forms
• Motor Vehicle Forms
• Vehicle Titles
• Trailer Titles
• Mobile Home Titles
• Employment Contracts
• Sale Contracts
• Property Contracts
• Lease Contracts
• Rental Contracts
• & Much More!

Yes, a notary public can notarize documents in languages other than English as long as the notary is fluent in the language and the document is in a language the notary can read and understand. OTMS can notarize English and Spanish documents.

Remote online notarization (RON) occurs when a notary public commissioned in and located in this Commonwealth performs a notarial act facilitated by communication technology for a remotely located customer. The legal requirement that the signer personally and physically appear before the notary is met by the use of audio-visual electronic communication technology. The important role that the notary plays when a statement is made in or a signature executed on a record now occurs remotely over the internet, with a document that is in electronic form. Remote online notarization is also recognized as remote online notary, remote notarization, webcam notarization, online notarization or virtual notarization. OTMS can provide this service for most documents.

Yes, a state approved e-notary can notarize documents for signers physically in other states or countries as long as the signer has current USA citizenship, for the last 5 years. This requirement is solely based on the RON platform's knowledge based identification (KBA) process. The notary public must physically be in the state they're commissioned in, during the RON.

1. A passport, driver's license or government-issued non-driver identification card, which is current and unexpired.
2. Another form of government identification issued to an individual, which:

• is current;
• contains the signature or a photograph of the individual; and  
• is satisfactory to the notary public.

A notary public may require an individual to provide additional information or identification credentials necessary to assure the notary of the identity of the individual.  

A notary public may refuse to perform a notarial act if the notary is not satisfied that:

• the individual executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute the record;  
• the individual's signature is knowingly and voluntarily made;  
• the individual's signature on the record or statement substantially conforms to the signature on a form of identification used to determine the identity of the individual; or  
• the physical appearance of the individual signing the record or statement substantially conforms to the photograph on a form of identification used to determine the identity of the individual.

A notary public may refuse to perform a notarial act unless such refusal is prohibited by law. A notary public may not refuse to provide notarial services on the basis of a customer’s race, color, National origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity (including pregnancy), disability or marital status. 

A Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania must be dated, signed by the principal, witnessed by two adults, and notarized.

If the principal is not able to write, he or she may sign by making a mark (such as an "X") or by directing another person to sign on his or her behalf. If this is done, there must be two adult witnesses to the signature. The notary public may not be the agent.

The witness requirements for a power of attorney in Pennsylvania are that a witness must be at least 18 years of age, but may not be the agent or a person who signed the POA on behalf of the principal.