Notary

Notary Public Service Policy

The West Deptford Free Public Library offers notary public services for the benefit of the community. A nominal fee will be charged for each item that is notarized.

The following guidelines became effective September 27, 2023:

1. There are several Notaries on the Library staff; however, notary services are not available during all hours the Library is open. Customers seeking notary services are encouraged to call the Library before their visit to ensure a Notary is available. Notary service is not available during the fifteen minutes prior to closing.
2. Notary services are not the primary duty of the Notary, so customers may be asked to wait while the Notary assists another patron, answers the phone, or performs other duties.
3. Notary service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Valid photo identification is required for any customer seeking notary service.
5. The Notary will only attest to documents signed in his or her presence.
6. The Library will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from other Library patrons. A witness must personally know the customer whose document is being notarized and must possess valid photo identification.
7. Documents written in a language other than English will not be notarized.
8. New Jersey law requires that the Notary and the customer seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with one another. Library Notaries are not permitted to use a translator to communicate with a customer.
9. Notary service is not available for deeds, mortgage packets, divorces, living trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, or wills.
10. Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. Examples include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates.
11. Notaries will not provide service if the customer, document, or circumstances raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty. In these situations, the Notary may decline to provide service at their discretion.

Adopted by the West Deptford Free Public Library Board of Trustees
October 23, 2023