To notarize and seal the form, how would I do it if I’m in a different town than my mother?

To notarize and seal the form, how would I do it if I’m in a different town than my mother? This is for my mom to take guardianship over my son. How would we both sign and get these forms notarized if we’re far from each other?
May 8, 2025 11 2

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To notarize and seal the form, how would I do it if I’m in a different town than my mother? This is for my mom to take guardianship over my son. How would we both sign and get these forms notarized if we’re far from each other?

I understand the importance of getting the guardianship forms notarized for your son. Have you looked into mobile notary services in your area?

No, I have not. What does that mean?

Are you and your mother able to physically mail the forms to each other for signing and notarization, or are you looking for a different solution due to the distance?

We could, but that wouldn’t do any good because we both have to be present for notarizing, right?

Is there anything else the Family Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with notarizing the guardianship forms.

No.

Legal Eagle

Good afternoon and welcome to AskaLawyer. Please give me a moment to review your question.

Thank you.

Legal Eagle

I understand the challenges you're facing with notarizing guardianship forms while being in different towns. It’s crucial to ensure that the forms are properly notarized to establish legal guardianship over your son. Fortunately, there are several options available that can accommodate the distance between you and your mother.

Option 1: Mobile Notary Services

  • Mobile notaries are professionals who travel to your location to perform notarizations.
  • You and your mother can each arrange for a mobile notary to visit you separately.
  • The mobile notary will verify your identities, witness your signatures, and apply the notarial seal on the forms.
  • This method allows both parties to sign in the presence of a notary without needing to be physically together.
  • Mobile notary services are widely available and can be scheduled at your convenience.

Option 2: Remote Online Notarization (RON)

  • RON allows notarizations to be conducted electronically using audio-visual technology over the internet.
  • You and your mother can appear before a notary via a live video session, regardless of your physical locations.
  • The notary will verify your identities, witness your signatures, and apply the notarial seal electronically.
  • This method is secure and legally recognized in many states, including Michigan.
  • It provides a convenient and efficient way to notarize documents remotely.

Option 3: Mailing the Forms

  • If neither mobile notary services nor RON are feasible, you may consider mailing the forms to each other for signing and notarization.
  • While it’s true that both parties typically need to be present for notarization, some notaries may be willing to notarize documents that have been signed separately, as long as they can verify the identities of the signers and witness the signatures.
  • This approach requires coordination with the notary to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Thank you.