NOTARY SERVICES GUIDELINES
The Goodnow Library will provide some Notary services as a courtesy. Notary services are offered between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday-Friday, when staffing is available. Please call ahead to the Reference Desk at 978-440-5520 to check on availability.
The following guidelines will be followed when providing Notary services:
- A valid, government-issued photo identification is required of any customer seeking Notary service.
- The document(s) CANNOT already have been signed nor dated.
- All signers must be present at the time of notarizing. (Individuals seeking Notary services may be accompanied by spouse/caregiver if needed).
- If your document requires a witness(s), they must accompany you.
- The Notary is stating they have witnessed the document being signed.
- The document must contain the appropriate Notarial Statement or Clause, or one will be stamped on the document by the Notary.
- Documents in any language other than English will not be notarized at this facility.
- Notary service is not available for real estate documents, deeds, mortgages, wills, living wills, living trusts, codicils, depositions, or documents pertaining to official Town business. These documents are best handled at law or real estate offices.
- Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized as being “official/certified” documents. Examples of these are birth, marriage, and death certificates. These “certified/official” documents—with appropriate Town Seal—should be obtained from a Town Clerk’s office.
- Staff notaries are not attorneys licensed to practice law, may not give any legal advice, and may not accept fees for legal advice.
- Massachusetts law requires that a Notary and the person seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other.
- In accordance with Massachusetts Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the customer, document or circumstances of the request for Notary Service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt or uncertainty. In this event, the Notary may, at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide Notary Services.