Understanding the Difference Between a USPS Notary and a Traditional Notary

Notaries play an important role in legal documentation. They verify the identities of signers and ensure that documents are signed willingly and knowingly. In the United States, notaries can be found in a variety of settings, including banks, law offices, and government agencies. However, two types of notaries that are often confused are USPS notaries and traditional notaries. In this article, we'll explore the key differences between these two types of notaries, as well as the emerging field of online and electronic notary services.

USPS Notaries vs. Traditional Notaries

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers notary services at many of its locations. These notaries are known as USPS notaries, and they perform many of the same functions as traditional notaries. USPS notaries verify the identities of signers, witness the signing of documents, and affix their notary seal to completed documents. However, there are some key differences between USPS notaries and traditional notaries.

One of the biggest differences between USPS notaries and traditional notaries is their scope of authority. USPS notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts only within the state where they are commissioned. This means that a USPS notary in Florida, for example, would not be able to perform notarial acts in another state. In contrast, traditional notaries are often authorized to perform notarial acts in multiple states.

Another difference between USPS notaries and traditional notaries is the types of documents they can notarize. USPS notaries are authorized to notarize only certain types of documents, such as affidavits and acknowledgments. They cannot notarize deeds, mortgages, or other real estate documents. Traditional notaries, on the other hand, are often authorized to notarize a wider range of documents, including real estate documents.

Online and Electronic Notaries

In recent years, a new type of notary has emerged: the online notary. Online notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts remotely, using video conferencing technology. This allows signers to have their documents notarized from anywhere, without the need to physically visit a notary's office.

Online notary services are particularly popular in states like Florida, which have a large number of out-of-state residents and retirees. In Florida, online notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts for signers located anywhere in the world, as long as the signer and the notary are both located in Florida at the time of the notarization.

One key difference between USPS notaries and traditional notaries is the types of documents they can notarize. USPS notaries are generally limited to notarizing documents related to postal service operations, such as certified mail, return receipt, and other postal forms. Traditional notaries, on the other hand, can notarize a wider variety of documents, including wills, deeds, contracts, and other legal documents.

         Another key difference is the availability of notary services. While USPS notaries are typically available during regular USPS business hours, traditional notaries may offer more flexible hours and locations. This is especially true with the rise of online notary services in Florida and electronic notarization.

Electronic notarization is another emerging field in the notary industry. Electronic notaries use digital technology to perform notarial acts on electronic documents. This allows signers to sign documents electronically, and for notaries to affix their electronic signature and seal to the document.

In Florida, electronic notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts on electronic documents, as long as certain requirements are met. For example, the electronic document must have tamper-evident technology that ensures the integrity of the document, and the signer must provide a digital signature that is linked to a physical signature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several key differences between USPS notaries and traditional notaries. USPS notaries are authorized to perform notarial acts only within their state of commission and are limited to notarizing certain types of documents. Traditional notaries, on the other hand, are often authorized to perform notarial acts in multiple states and can notarize a wider range of documents. Additionally, the emergence of online and electronic notaries has expanded the reach of notary services, allowing signers to have their documents notarized remotely and electronically. If you need a document notarized, it's important to understand the differences between these types of notaries and to choose the one that best fits your needs.