Your first document is $25 to notarize, and each additional document at the same appointment is $10. If I come to you, there is a travel fee: $50 flat within 10 miles of Salem, then $1.67 for every mile beyond that. For example, notarizing one document at your home in Beverly, which is 4 miles away, would be $75 total ($25 plus $50 travel). There is no travel fee if you come to my Salem office. Hospital visits are a flat $100 to $125, travel included. Use my instant quote calculator for an exact price.
I serve 20+ communities across the North Shore including Salem, Beverly, Peabody, Danvers, Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Gloucester, Ipswich, Topsfield, Middleton, Essex, and more. Check my full service area or use the quote calculator on my pricing page to see if your zip code is covered.
Yes. Weekday evening appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Fridays from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday appointments are available by request.
Absolutely. Maho Notary Services offers mobile notary visits to homes, offices, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and any convenient location across the North Shore.
Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport), the documents you need notarized, and any other signers who need to be present. Documents should be unsigned, as the notary needs to witness your signature in person.
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer is who they claim to be and that they signed the document voluntarily. A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true, and the document must be signed in the presence of the notary. Your document will usually specify which type of notarization is required.
No. In most cases, you should not sign the document until you are in front of the notary. The notary needs to witness your signature as part of the notarization process. If you have already signed, let me know and I can advise you on next steps.
You can fill out the appointment request form on my website, or iMessage me at maho.notary@gmail.com. I typically respond within 1 to 2 hours during business hours.
In most cases, yes. I offer same-day notary appointments when my schedule allows. Evening and weekend availability makes it easier to fit in last-minute requests. Contact me as early as possible and I will do my best to accommodate your timeline.
A typical notary appointment takes 10 to 15 minutes for a single document. Real estate and loan signings take longer, usually 45 minutes to an hour, because they involve multiple documents. I always allow enough time to verify identification, explain the notarial acts, and answer any questions you have.
No. A notary public is not permitted to provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or explain the legal effects of a document. My role is to verify your identity, witness your signature, and complete the notarial certificate. If you need legal advice about your documents, I recommend consulting with an attorney.
Yes. Every person whose signature needs to be notarized must appear in person before the notary at the time of signing. Massachusetts law does not allow a notary to notarize a signature that was made outside of the notary's presence. If multiple signers cannot meet at the same time, separate appointments can be arranged.
Massachusetts enacted a law allowing remote online notarization (RON), which permits notarizations to be performed over a live video call using approved technology platforms. Maho Notary Services currently focuses on in-person and mobile notarization. If you need remote notarization, contact me and I can discuss your options or refer you to an appropriate provider.