3 Questions You Should Never Ask a Notary in Washington State

As a Washington State notary public, my goal is to make your signing process smooth, stress-free, and 100% legal. But every so often, I’m asked questions that no notary can legally say “yes” to without breaking the law or putting your documents at risk.

If you want your notarization to be valid, enforceable, and safe from legal challenges, here are three questions you should never ask a notary, and why the answer will always be a firm “no.”

❌ 1. “I don’t have ID, can you just skip that part?”

Identification is non-negotiable. Washington State law requires proper, government-issued photo ID before a document can be notarized.

In some cases, if allowed by law, a credible witness may be used, but notarizing without verifying the signer’s identity is never an option. This rule exists to protect against fraud and to ensure the person signing is truly who they claim to be.

❌ 2. “I cannot be there, can you notarize it anyway as a favor?”

A notary must personally witness the signer signing the document — either in person or via a secure Remote Online Notarization (RON) session.

If you are not physically present or logged into a secure, state-approved online notarization platform with me, I cannot notarize your signature. This protects you, your document, and everyone involved from fraud and future legal disputes.

❌ 3. “I’m on a deadline, can you change the date for me?”

Changing the date on a notarial certificate is illegal in every state. The date I record must reflect the exact day the notarization occurs. Anything else is falsifying a legal document, which can lead to serious legal consequences for both you and the notary.

Why a Notary’s “No” Protects You

A trustworthy notary will always follow Washington State notary laws, even if it means saying no. My role is to protect:

• You — by making sure your signature is valid

• Your documents — by ensuring they meet legal requirements

• The notarization process — by upholding its integrity every single time

When a notary refuses to cut corners, they’re safeguarding your interests as much as their own.

If you have questions about what can and can’t be notarized, or if you’re ready to schedule a compliant, professional notarization, I’m here to guide you through the process the right way.

✨ GIRL FRIDAY NOTARY SERVICES

Notarization may be boring, but I’m not!