How to Notarize Escrow Documents for Selling a House: A Simple Guide for First-Time Sellers

Oct 22

Written By J land

When selling a house, you’ll need to notarize certain documents to make sure the sale is legally binding. While this may sound complicated, it’s actually a straightforward process. This guide will help you understand what you need to notarize, how to do it, and the easiest way to return those documents.

Key Documents That May Need Notarization:

Grant Deed (this is a must)
Instructions for Proceeds (usually required)
Affidavit of No Mortgage (if applicable)
Owner's Affidavit (if applicable)
Power of Attorney (if applicable)

Your escrow officer will let you know exactly which documents need to be notarized.

Step-by-Step Process to Notarize Documents

1. Get the Documents Printed

You’ll need to print all the documents that require notarization.
No printer? You can ask the notary to print the documents for you, or we can print them for you ahead of time. Or if you notarize in our escrow office, we will get all printed out for you.

2. Bring a Valid Photo ID

Bring a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license, green card, or passport. Make sure your ID is not expired, as expired IDs will not be accepted.

3. Pay the Notary Fee

Fees vary depending on where you get your documents notarized. Be ready to pay when you go for notarization. Below you will see how much each cost.

Where Can You Get Your Documents Notarized?

Here are your three main options for notarization, with the pros and cons of each:

1. At Our Escrow Office

Cost: $15 per notarized signature.
Location: We’re located in Irvine, near the airport: 17910 Sky Park Circle, Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92614.
Scheduling: You need to schedule an appointment in advance.
Tip: We will print your documents for you.

2. Use a Mobile Notary

Cost: Typically between $100 and $350, depending on distance and service.
Convenience: A mobile notary comes to your location, reviews the escrow package with you, notarizes the necessary documents, and brings them back to our office.
Why Choose This: It saves time and effort since you don’t need to leave your home. The mobile notary ensures everything is correct and returned to us promptly.

3. Go to UPS

Cost: $15 per notarized signature (same as in our escrow office).
Printing: USPS can print the documents for you for a price
Important: USPS can only notarize the documents, they won’t be able to explain them to you.
Tip: After notarizing, you’ll need to send the original documents back to us. You can ship at the UPS back to us directly

Returning the Notarized Documents

Regardless of where you get the documents notarized, we need the original notarized documents back in our office.

Our address is : 17910 Sky Park Circle, Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92614

1. If Using a Mobile Notary

The mobile notary will return the original documents directly to us, saving you time and eliminating any extra steps.

2. NO Printer, NO email, Not close to us, No Problem

We can print the docs and ship to your location.
We will provide you a FedEx Return Shipping label with an envolop for easy drop off after you notarize document.

Final Steps: Avoid Delays

Whichever method you choose, remember that we must receive the original notarized documents for the sale to proceed. Make sure to return them on time to avoid any delays in escrow.

Contact Us for Help

For any questions, assistance, or to schedule in-office notarization, reach out to us! We are located in Irvine, near the airport.

Email us at: Team@StarlightEscrow.com

Call: 949.881.1000

DISCLAIMER:

The content provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice. Starlight Escrow does not assume any liability for any actions taken based on the information provided here. For specific guidance related to your situation, please consult a qualified professional.

J land