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In order to notarize a letter, contract, or any document for that matter, you need to meet with a commissioned notary public. Ensure to follow these steps before meeting with one:
Have and present a valid form of ID. If you don't have ID, consult with a local notary to explore other ID options available to you in your jurisdiction.
Do not sign your letter. Although this only applies to Jurats, where the notary must witness the signing, it's better to be safe and bring it unsigned
What type of notarization do you need? You must know what type of notarization you need, as your notary cannot choose for you. The notary can explain each type, but you must decide which one to perform. If you are unsure or do not understand their explanation, you should consult a licensed attorney for guidance.
Here are two of the most common types of notarizations performed by US-based notaries:
Acknowledgement: This verifies your identity and confirms you acknowledge signing the letter. You present satisfactory evidence (your ID) to the notary, acknowledge the signature on your letter as has been made by you, and an official record is made in the notary's journal.
Jurat: This verifies your identity and your oath or affirmation regarding the document's truthfulness and completeness. You present satisfactory evidence (your ID) to the notary, swear an oath or affirmation to the document's contents, sign the letter in front of the notary, and an official record is made in the notary's journal.
If you understood the above explanations and came to a conclusion, you're good to go! Otherwise, you may need to seek legal guidance from a licensed attorney. They would be able to tell you what would be ideal for your letter.
