Answers before you book
Scheduling, fees, what to bring, loan signings, and the situations that come up most. If your question isn’t here, just reach out.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Reach out through the contact form or give me a call. Once I know what you need, where you are, and when works for you, I’ll confirm availability and I’ll lock in a time. Most appointments are confirmed the same day you reach out.
Do you take same-day appointments?
Yes, regularly. If I’m available, I’ll come to you the same day. Get in touch as early as you can and I’ll do my best to make it work. Last-minute situations happen, I’m used to them.
What hours are you available?
Days, evenings, and weekends. I’m intentionally flexible because most people need a notary outside of the standard 9-to-5. If you have a specific time that works best, ask, I’ll tell you honestly if I can make it happen.
Where will you come?
Wherever makes sense for you. Home, office, coffee shop, hospital, care facility, attorney’s office, I’m a mobile notary, so I come to the location that works best. I serve Milwaukee County and the surrounding metro area including Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Walworth, Kenosha, and Jefferson counties.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Life happens. Just let me know as soon as you can and I’ll find a new time. I ask that you reach out before I’m already on the road to your location.
How much does it cost?
It depends on what you need and where you are. General notarizations, loan signings, and after-hours appointments are all priced differently. Get in touch and I’ll give you a straightforward quote before you commit to anything.
Is there a travel fee?
Yes. Since I come to you, my fees include the time and cost of travel. The further you are from the Milwaukee metro core, the more that factors in. I’ll always tell you the total cost upfront so there are no surprises.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Reach out and I’ll confirm accepted payment methods when I schedule. I keep it simple.
What ID do I need to bring?
A valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID with your signature. Any of these work:
- Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Any other federal, state, or tribal photo ID with your signature
Photocopies and phone screenshots don’t count, I need the original. And check the expiration date before I arrive. It trips people up more often than you’d think.
What if the name on my ID doesn’t exactly match the document?
Mention it when I schedule. Small discrepancies, a missing middle name, a maiden name, can usually be worked through. Surprises at the table slow things down, so the earlier you flag it, the better.
Should the document be filled out before I arrive?
Yes, the document should be complete before you sign anything in front of me. I can’t notarize a blank or incomplete document, and I’m not able to advise you on what to fill in. If you have questions about the document itself, that’s a conversation for the attorney or issuing party, not your notary.
What’s a loan signing, and what does a signing agent do?
A loan signing is when a notary comes to you to witness and notarize the documents for a real estate transaction, a home purchase, refinance, home equity loan, etc. As a certified notary signing agent, I walk you through where to sign and initial, make sure everything is executed correctly, and return the documents to the title company or lender.
What I don’t do is give legal or financial advice. I can tell you what a document is called, but not what it means for your situation. For that, talk to your lender or closing attorney before I sit down.
Who orders the signing agent, me or my lender?
Usually the title company or lender arranges for a signing agent and contacts me directly. But if you’ve been told to find your own notary signing agent, or you’re working with a lender who needs one, you’re welcome to reach out and I’ll coordinate from there.
How long does a loan signing take?
Typically 45 minutes to an hour for a standard loan package, though it varies based on the number of documents and whether you have questions along the way. Block out an hour to be safe.
Can you notarize documents online (remote online notarization)?
Yes. I’m set up for remote online notarization, which means certain documents can be notarized entirely online over a secure audio and video session, with no in-person meeting. Both you and I do need to be located in Wisconsin at the time of signing. You’ll verify your ID through the platform, join a live video session, and sign electronically while I notarize. It’s a good option if you’re outside my in-person area, homebound, or short on time. Not every document qualifies, and some institutions still require an in-person notarization, so reach out with what you have and I’ll confirm whether online will work for you.
Can you come to a hospital or care facility?
Yes. This is one of the most important things I do. If someone needs a power of attorney, advance directive, or other documents notarized and can’t travel, I come to them. Reach out and let me know the situation, including the facility, any visiting hour restrictions, and the signer’s condition, and I’ll figure out the logistics together.
One thing to know upfront: the signer must be mentally competent and acting of their own free will at the time of signing. If there’s any question about capacity, that’s something to discuss with the attending medical staff or an attorney before I schedule.
What if the signer can’t physically write their signature?
Wisconsin law allows for certain accommodations when a signer has a physical limitation. This is a situation to flag ahead of time so I can make sure I handle it correctly. Reach out before I schedule and I’ll walk you through the options.
Can you notarize documents in another language?
The notarial act itself doesn’t require me to read or understand the document, I’m certifying the identity of the signer and witnessing the signature, not the content. That said, I do need to communicate with the signer, which typically requires a shared language or an interpreter present. Let me know the situation and I’ll figure out if I’m the right fit.
Is a Wisconsin notarization valid in other states?
Generally yes, notarizations performed by a Wisconsin-commissioned notary are recognized across the U.S. If you need the document to be accepted in another country, you may need an apostille or authentication, which is a separate step through the Wisconsin Secretary of State’s office. Ask me if you’re unsure and I’ll point you in the right direction.
What if there’s a mistake in the notarization?
Contact me right away. Errors do happen and most can be corrected. I keep records of every notarization I perform, so if something needs to be revisited I’ll have what I need to address it quickly.