Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Fees, availability and policies are subject to change.

What should I have ready for my session?

Your document, and an acceptable photo ID for every person signing. Please don’t sign your document beforehand. In most cases you’ll sign in front of me, depending on the notarial act.

What ID(s) do you accept?

RULONA specifies the two tiers of government-issued identification documents to be used to establish identity:
Tier One: A passport, driver’s license or government-issued nondriver identification card, which is current and unexpired.
Tier Two: Another form of government identification issued to an individual, which:
(a) is current;
(b) contains the signature or a photograph of the individual; and
(c) is satisfactory to the notarial officer.

Under Tier Two: Some other current government-issued IDs with your photo or signature, such as a military ID (with signature) or medical marijuana card (PA ONLY), may also work at my discretion, so please ask ahead at the time of our booking confirmation.

Please note: an expired ID can’t be accepted, even by a day, and neither can a photocopy or a photo of an ID on a phone.

If we meet online, do I need an ID still?

For a remote session (RON), I require a valid, unexpired state-issued photo ID or passport that you can hold up to the camera, so you can pass my platform’s identity verification. The platforms I use all engage in verification and knowledge based authentication technologies.

I don’t have an ID, how can we proceed?

Our options are limited.

For a remote session (RON), I require a valid ID to go through the onboarding process and pass verification to begin our session.

For mobile or in person sessions, I can proceed per my discretion with the notarization if:

• You are personally known to me

or

• Someone you know is personally known to me, and also knows you and can vouch for your identity. This is called a credible witness.

What is a credible witness?

If you don’t have an acceptable ID and I don’t know you personally, I may be able to rely on a credible witness instead. Under Pennsylvania law (RULONA, 57 Pa.C.S. § 307), that is a person I personally know, who comes to the appointment in person and swears or affirms that you are who you say you are.

It has to be someone I know. A stranger or someone you bring along who I haven’t met can’t be a credible witness. Accepting one is always at my discretion.

Where do we meet (mobile notary appointments)?

Wherever is convenient for you: your home, office, or another place you prefer. I serve Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities and counties. We can even meet online (see below)! For mobile appointments, travel fees are based on driving distance, so see the fee schedule for details.

Do you offer remote online notarization?

Yes. You can sign from your phone or computer in a secure audio-video session with me, from anywhere in the United States, and in some cases from abroad (see below). There is no travel fee, but please see my fee schedule and policies. Please note that remote sessions are recorded; see my policies.

I live and am currently in another state, can you notarize my document online?

In most cases, yes. I notarize from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Remote notarization may only be performed if the act is not prohibited in the jurisdiction where the remotely located individual is at the time of the remote notarization.

Please check with the document issuer for any issues with getting an item notarized remotely/electronically before booking.

I live in another country or am currently outside the United States, can you notarize my documents for me online?

Sometimes. As of October 2026, under Pennsylvania law (57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1), I can notarize for someone who is outside the United States only if both of these are true:

1. The document is to be filed with, or relates to a matter before, a court, government agency, public official or other entity under U.S. jurisdiction, or it involves property located in the United States or a transaction substantially connected with the United States.
2. Signing the document or making the statement is not prohibited by the foreign country where you are.

I can’t advise on another country’s laws, so please check that before booking. Contact me directly or note this when booking and we can discuss.

Are Remote Online Notary (RON) sessions recorded?

As of October 2026, remote online notarizations are recorded, audio and video. Under Pennsylvania law (57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1), the recording must capture the performance of the notarial act, including all interactions between the notary public and the remotely located individual. It must be kept for at least 10 years after it is created, or as otherwise required by Department of State regulations.

Do you work evenings and weekends?

Yes.

For mobile notary appointments, evenings before 10 PM and weekends are at standard rates. Requests after 10 PM are by request only, so please call, email, or text me to ask. Rush and late-night fees apply; see the fee schedule.

For remote sessions, please contact me directly.

How much does it cost?

Everything is listed on the fee schedule, and you’ll get an itemized receipt/invoice. You can also use my fee estimator to estimate mobile notary appointments up front.

When and how do I pay?

Payment is due once services are completed, unless we have made other arrangements in advance. Deposits and witness fees are due in advance of our appointment. Apostille fees are due up front, before I submit your documents. I accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal and credit card, with no surcharge. I don’t accept checks. You’ll get an itemized receipt or invoice.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes, for mobile notary appointments only. Your booking is confirmed once we have discussed your appointment and fees and I have received the deposit. It’s applied to your total.

It’s nonrefundable, but if you need to change your appointment and give me at least 4 hours’ notice, I’ll move it to a new time once at no charge. If I have to cancel, I’ll refund it or move it to a time that works for you. See my policies for cancellations.

Can you certify a copy of my document?

For many documents, yes, such as a passport, driver’s license, diploma, contract, lease or power of attorney. I compare the copy to the original and certify that it is complete and accurate. I am certifying the copy, not that the document itself is genuine.

I can’t certify copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates, U.S. naturalization certificates, or records marked “do not copy” or otherwise prohibited by law. See the fee schedule for the fee.

Can you notarize wills, deeds, or powers of attorney?

Yes, I can notarize signatures on these and similar documents. I can’t draft them, advise you on what they should say, or tell you whether a document needs to be notarized. Please bring the unsigned document and a current photo ID for every signer.

Can you give legal advice or tell me which document or certificate I need?

No. I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this Commonwealth. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities. If you’re not sure what you need, an attorney or the agency requesting the document can help, and I’ll take care of the notarization.

Do you handle loan signings?

Yes. I’m an NNA Certified and Background Screened Notary Signing Agent. See the page for title companies for more information.

I am a title company, can I contact you directly?

Yes. See the page for title companies for more information.

What is an apostille?

It’s a certificate, issued by a government office and not by me, that lets a document be recognized in another country. I handle the notarization (if needed), then help prepare and submit your document and coordinate the process by mail.

Some countries don’t use apostilles. For those, the state issues a different certificate, and the document may need further legalization through that country’s embassy. I don’t handle embassy legalization.

Cost: State and county fees and postage are passed through at cost. All apostille fees are due up front, before I submit your documents. See the fee schedule for more information on my fees.

Documents: Some documents, such as birth certificates, naturalization certificates, divorce decrees and business formation documents, need a certified copy from the office that issued them first.

Turnaround: It depends on the state or agency issuing the apostille, final timeframe will vary but it will typically take a few weeks.

What do you need from me: Please book an appointment and note that you are wanting to discuss apostille facilitation. We will go through a short intake process, discuss the fees associated, and proceed accordingly.

Do you offer translation services?

No, I don’t translate documents. I’m an affiliate of Idiomatic, a professional translation company, and I recommend them if your document needs a translation before it is notarized or apostilled. I may earn a commission if you order through the link on my translation recommendation page, at no added cost to you. Your order is between you and Idiomatic, and you pay Idiomatic for the translation. If you’re booking a notarization or apostille with me, I can place the order for you at no charge from me. Please check with the receiving office about whether it requires a certified translation.

How do I book?

Please see the booking page for more information.

I have additional questions, can I contact you?

Yes, please contact me via phone or text, or use my contact page.