Why can a notarized document be rejected?

There are many reasons why a notarized document can be rejected by the county clerk's office. Here are the three most common reasons:

(1) The notarization is missing the venue

State of New York    )
                                 ) ss.:
County of . . . . . . .    )

(2) The notarization is missing acknowledgment or jurat. Below are sample New York State acknowledgment and jurat.

Sample Certificate of Acknowledgment:

State of New York    )
                                 ) ss.:
County of . . . . . . .    )

On the . . . . . . day of . . . . . . in the year 20 . .  . . before me, the undersigned, personally appeared . . . . . ., personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies),

_______________         [Notary stamp] 
Notary Signature     

[Notary's name]               Date:

Notary Public, State of New York

Registration.....

Qualified in ....... County

My commission expires ...

Sample Jurat

State of New York    )
                                 ) ss.:
County of . . . . . . .    )

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ........ day of ........, 20 ......

_______________        [Notary stamp]
Notary Signature     

[Notary's name]               Date:

Notary Public, State of New York

Registration.....

Qualified in ....... County

My commission expires ...

(3) The signature of the notary is different as compared to the sample signature filed with the county clerk's office. Please tell the notary that your document is intended for a New York apostille, and will be taken to the county clerk's office.

Notaries public are commissioned in their counties of residence. The county clerk  maintains a record of the commission and sample signature. The public may then access this record and verify the “official” signature of the notary at the county clerk’s office. However, the signature of the notary can be verified only if it looks the same as the sample signature. The county clerk actually compares the signatures. In some counties the image of the signature is in the computer (Kings county), other counties (including NYC, Nassau and many others) still use the old fashioned card system.

The above three reasons for failure to complete the first step of the apostille procedure are not all-inclusive. There are many more. Please email your document for a free evaluation, and we will tell you if your document is properly notarized and qualifies for a New York apostille or embassy legalization.