Question 1

What is an Affidavit?

Accepted Answer

A written statement signed before a Notary by a person who swears or affirms to the Notary that the statement is true.

Question 2

What is a Power of Attorney?

Accepted Answer

This is a document granting authority for a person to act as "attorney in fact" for another.

Question 3

What is an "Attorney in Fact"

Accepted Answer

This is a person who has authority to sign for another.

Question 4

What is a Deed?

Accepted Answer

A Deed is a document transferring ownership of property and requiring notarization.

Question 5

What is a Jurat?

Accepted Answer

Is an act in which a Notary certifies having watched the signing of a document and administered an oath or affirmation.

Question 6

What is a Notary Act/Notarization?

Accepted Answer

Witnessing duties of a Notary that are specified by law. Most often, the Notary's duties involve signed documents and require the Notary to ensure a signer's identity and/or to administer an oath or affirmation.

Question 7

What does SOS mean?

Accepted Answer

On this site this term SOS, is the abbreviation for the North Carolina Secretary of State.

Question 8

What type of ID (identification) do I need?

Accepted Answer

A valid and unexpired photo ID is required for all notarizations.

*Driver's license
*Passport
*Government-issued non-driver photo ID or
*Tribal ID card (as approved by the North Carolina Secretary of State)

Question 9

What is an Apostille?

Accepted Answer

An Apostille is a special certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document, allowing it to be recognized in another country that’s a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
📜 What It Does
Confirms the signature, seal, or stamp on a document is genuine
Simplifies international document legalization
Replaces the need for embassy or consulate certification
🌍 When It's Needed
When you're sending official documents (like birth certificates, diplomas, or legal papers) to a country that’s a member of the Hague Convention. 
Commonly used for international adoptions, business contracts, or studying abroad.
🏛️ Who Issues It
In the U.S., apostilles are issued by:
The Secretary of State for state-level documents
The U.S. Department of State for federal documents
🧾 What It Looks Like
A standardized certificate is attached to your document.
Includes details like the issuing country, signer’s name, date, and official seal.

Frequently asked questions