DIY Legal Forms: Common Notary Pitfalls

Templates downloaded from the internet often have missing or non-compliant notarial certificates. Here's what to check before signing.

The most common defect on a DIY legal form is a missing or non-compliant notarial certificate. The form may end with a signature line but no acknowledgment or jurat block. Or the certificate may include venue and signature lines that don't match the notary's state.

A notary may not draft legal language — but may attach a separate, state-compliant certificate page (a "loose certificate") and complete the notarization on that page. The certificate is then stapled to the document.

Never sign a form before the notary arrives. Never let the form's drafter dictate the certificate wording. When in doubt, use the loose certificate.