Notary Resources & Appointment Guide

Everything you need to understand the notarization process, prepare for your appointment, and know what to expect.

If you already know what you need, you can book anytime.

Start Your Notary Appointment

Most notarizations go smoothly when a few things are prepared ahead of time.

Before your appointment, please confirm:

• Each signer has a current government-issued photo ID available
• Your document is complete and ready for notarization
• Unless instructed otherwise, wait to sign until your appointment
• All required signers will be available
• Any required witnesses are arranged, or you've contacted me if you need help coordinating one

If you're unsure about any of these items, you can still book an appointment. I’ll help you determine what you need before we complete the notarization.

A notary public is commissioned by the State of Alaska to perform authorized notarial acts and help deter fraud.

During a notarization, my role includes:

• Verifying the signer’s identity
• Confirming the signer is participating willingly
• Completing the appropriate notarial certificate
• Recording the notarization in my notary journal

I can explain the notarization process and guide you through the steps I am responsible for as your notary. I cannot interpret the legal meaning of your document, choose forms for you, complete documents for you, or provide legal advice.

Forget-Me-Not Notary provides:

• Mobile Notary services throughout the Mat-Su Valley and surrounding areas
• Anchorage appointments based on scheduling and travel availability
• Remote Online Notarization (RON) for eligible signers in Alaska and beyond
• Patient-paced appointments for elders, families, hospitals, and care facilities

Many different documents may require or include notarization.

Common examples include:

• Powers of Attorney (POA)
• Real estate and loan documents
• Wills and sworn affidavits
• Travel authorization letters for minors
• Vehicle title documents
• Health care and care-planning documents

Whether a particular document requires notarization is generally determined by the document itself or the person or organization receiving it.

If you're unsure, the organization, agency, or attorney who provided the document can usually tell you what is required.

Once your document is ready, you can book your notarization.

Identity verification is an important part of the notarization process.

For most in-person appointments, each signer should have a current government-issued photo ID ready.

Common forms of identification may include:

• Driver’s license
• State ID
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID

For an in-person appointment, please bring the physical identification rather than a photo of it on your phone.

If you are unsure whether your identification will work, contact me before your appointment and I’ll help you determine the next step.

Remote Online Notarization allows eligible documents to be notarized through a secure live video session.

You can meet with me online from Alaska or while traveling outside the state.

During the online process, you will:

• Complete the platform’s identity-verification process
• Join me in a secure live video session
• Review and sign your document electronically
• Receive the completed document electronically

Common forms of identification used for online identity verification include:

• U.S. driver’s license
• State ID
• U.S. passport

Online identity verification is handled through the secure RON platform and may have different requirements from an in-person appointment.

If you have a different type of ID or aren't sure whether online notarization will work for your situation, contact me and I’ll help you determine the appropriate option.

For the smoothest online appointment:

• Use a device with a camera and microphone
• Have a stable internet connection
• Be in a quiet, well-lit location
• Have your identification ready
• Enter your information carefully during identity verification
• Have your document available electronically

A laptop or desktop computer can sometimes make the online process easier, particularly if you experience difficulty completing identity verification on a mobile device or tablet.

Before your notarization, please make sure your document is complete and ready for the signing process.

Please check that:

• You have all pages of the document
• Required information has been completed where appropriate
• There are no unintended blank spaces
• Unless instructed otherwise, you wait to sign until your appointment

Some documents must be signed in the notary’s presence, while others may have different requirements. If you're unsure, wait to sign and I’ll guide you through the appropriate notarization process.

I can explain the notarization process and guide the signing steps that relate to the notarization, but I cannot choose forms, fill out documents for you, interpret their legal meaning, or provide legal advice.

For mobile appointments, you generally do not need to send your document ahead of time. If I need to review something before your appointment, I’ll let you know.

For Remote Online Notarization (RON), your document will be uploaded electronically as part of the online process.

If you're unsure whether your document is ready for notarization, contact me and I’ll help you determine the next step.

Some documents require one or more witnesses in addition to the notary.

If your document requires witnesses:

• Please arrange for them to be present unless we've discussed witness assistance in advance
• Witnesses must be available during the signing
• Witnesses should have identification available if required for the document or notarization

If you're unsure whether witnesses are required, check the document instructions or contact the organization, agency, or attorney that provided the document.

Many families contact me when a parent or loved one needs important documents notarized at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility.

For a notarization to proceed, the signer must be able to communicate directly with me, demonstrate awareness of the document being signed, and indicate that they are signing willingly.

Helpful preparation for an elder, hospital, hospice, or care-facility appointment includes:

• Choose a calm time of day when possible
• Have glasses, hearing aids, or other communication aids available
• Limit unnecessary distractions during the appointment
• Have identification and the complete document available
• Arrange any required witnesses in advance when possible

Every situation is different. I allow time for a calm, patient signing process while still following the requirements of the notarization.

Appointments can be scheduled online anytime using the booking page.

If you don't see a time that works, text 907-671-0087 with your name, location, and what you need notarized. I’ll do my best to help based on availability.

Appointments requested within 3 hours or outside available booking times may include a $40 urgent scheduling fee. Availability is not guaranteed.

If you call and I’m unable to answer, I’m likely with another client. Please leave a voicemail or send a text with your name and what you need. Text is often the fastest way for me to follow up.

Yes. Mobile Notary appointments are available throughout Wasilla, Palmer, and the Mat-Su Valley.

I can meet you at a home, business, hospital, care facility, or another appropriate location.

Anchorage appointments may also be available depending on scheduling and travel availability.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) may allow you to complete an eligible notarization online without traveling to meet a notary in person.

This can be especially helpful for people in Alaska's villages and remote communities.

Some documents or receiving organizations may require in-person notarization. If you're unsure whether RON will work for your document, I can help you determine the appropriate option.

Please have:

• Your current government-issued photo ID
• Your complete document
• Any additional signers required for the document
• Any required witnesses

Unless you've been instructed otherwise, wait to sign until your appointment.

I can explain the notarization process and identify the portions of the document related to the notarial act.

I cannot interpret the legal meaning of your document, advise you about what you should sign, choose forms for you, complete the document for you, or provide legal advice.

Questions about the document's legal effect or what information should be entered should be directed to the person, organization, or attorney who provided it.

If you are helping a parent or loved one prepare important documents, you may find this free guide helpful.

The Caregiver Document Readiness Guide helps families prepare for documents and situations involving:

• Powers of Attorney
• Health care directives
• Care-planning paperwork

Download the free Caregiver Document Readiness Guide

The goal is to help you prepare calmly before scheduling.

No booking is required.

When you're ready, you can book a mobile or online notarization anytime.