Frequently Asked Questions

A notary public is a public official appointed by the state government to witness and certify the signing of legal documents.

What is an Apostille? An "apostille" is an authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. This is a government issued endorsement showing that the documents are authentic, or that the notary that worked with you is in fact a notary. 

Notaries cannot verify document authenticity, however some documents will need to be notarized prior to sending your paperwork to the Secretary of State. Full information about how to obtain an apostille service can be found here.

A notarial act is defined by RCW Chapter 42.45.010 as:  Notarial act means an act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under the law of this state. The term includes taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath or affirmation, taking a verification on oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature, certifying or attesting a copy, certifying the occurrence of an event or the performance of an act, and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument if the protest was prepared under the authority of an attorney licensed to practice law in this state or another state, or was prepared under the authority of a financial institution that is regulated by this state, another state, or the federal government. 

Yes! Every notary at Pilchuck Notary is insured for errors and omissions to protect our clients.