Maryland Notary & Apostille FAQ

Yes. Section 18-214 of the Maryland State Government Article allows a notary located in Maryland to perform a notarial act by live audio-video for a signer located elsewhere. The session is recorded, the recording is kept for ten years under section 18-214(j)(3), and acceptance is still decided by the receiving institution under section 18-214(n)(1).

Bring a current, unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver license, consular identification or government non-driver ID card, as section 18-206(b) describes. The ID should bear your photograph and signature and be satisfactory to the notary. For online sessions the same ID goes through remote presentation, credential analysis and identity proofing.

Maryland law allows identity to be established through a credible witness who knows you, appears in person, and is either known to the notary or identified with acceptable ID, under section 18-206(b). Call (202) 899-0067 before the appointment so the witness arrangement is set up correctly. One witness situation differs from another, so advance planning matters.

As a rule, no: plan on presenting a current, unexpired ID, because the notary must be satisfied with the credential under section 18-206(b). If your only ID has expired, call before booking to discuss the credible witness option or whether your appointment should wait until the ID is renewed.

The notary must be able to communicate with the signer and be satisfied the signer is competent and signing knowingly and willingly. Under section 18-207 the notary may decline to proceed when that standard is not met. Services are offered in English, Russian, Hebrew and Spanish, and interpretation for other languages should be arranged in advance.

First, call or text (202) 899-0067 with your city, document type and preferred time and receive a written quote. Next, gather your unsigned document and photo ID, plus any witnesses the document requires. Finally, the notary meets you at the agreed place, verifies identity, witnesses the signing and completes the certificate and seal on the spot.

Have the complete document with all pages, your unexpired photo ID, and any required witnesses already present. Fill in the document content beforehand if you can, but leave signatures and the notarial section blank. If a receiving office gave you specific instructions, have those handy as well.

No, leave signature lines blank until the notary is present, because most acts require signing in the notary presence. An acknowledgment can sometimes recognize a signature already made, but signing in advance creates avoidable problems. If your document is already signed, tell us when you book so we can plan the right remedy.

The Maryland Secretary of State apostilles Maryland documents such as certified vital records, notarized documents, court records and corporate records. A notarized document is first certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary was commissioned, then apostilled by the Secretary of State. Federally issued documents, such as federal background checks, go to the United States Department of State instead.

State apostilles move at the Secretary of State current pace after any notarization and clerk certification are complete, while federal apostilles follow the United States Department of State queue, which is separate and often different. Translation, multi-document files and shipping add their own time. We confirm the current estimate for your exact chain when you book.

The notarization charge itself is set under Maryland law, and mobile service adds a separate travel or convenience charge based on location, timing and document volume. You receive the full amount in writing before the appointment and agree to it before any work begins. Call or text (202) 899-0067 with your city and document type for that written quote.

Yes, wedding officiant bookings are available for Maryland ceremonies. The couple is responsible for obtaining the marriage license from the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the ceremony will take place and for bringing it on the day. After the ceremony the signed license is returned for recording as the county directs.

Mobile service covers communities across Maryland, including the Beltsville area, Prince George and Montgomery counties and the wider region listed on our service area pages. Use the ZIP checker on this site to confirm coverage for your exact address. If your ZIP is not listed, call (202) 899-0067, because nearby areas are often covered on request.

Appointments are available from 7 in the morning to midnight, seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Same-day visits are often possible, especially when you call early in the day with flexible timing. Availability is confirmed when you book, never assumed.

Ronit works directly in English, Russian, Hebrew and Spanish, both for notarization appointments and for apostille files. Certified translations for apostille and other filings are coordinated through trusted translators in the format the receiving office requires. Tell us the destination country and receiving office so the translation standard is matched from the start.

Yes, visits to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities and homes are a core part of the practice across Maryland. Tell us the facility name, visiting hours and any access instructions when you book so the signing fits the care schedule. A valid photo ID and any required witnesses should be arranged before the notary arrives.