Prompt Answers- FAQ
General Notary Questions:
Q: What is a notary public?
A: A notary public is a public official appointed by the state government to act as an impartial witness who verifies the identity of the individual receiving notarization services and confirms their willingness and understanding of the transaction.
Q: What types of documents can you notarize?
A: We can notarize a wide range of documents, including legal, financial, business, and personal documents.
Q: How long does the notarization process take?
A: The notarization process typically takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of documents and the specific requirements.
Q: Can you notarize documents from other states?
A: Yes, we can notarize documents from other states. As long as the notarization is performed within the geographical boundaries of South Dakota and meets the state’s requirements, we can notarize documents regardless of their origin. The key is that the signer must be physically present before the notary at the time of notarization.
Q: Can you notarize documents from other countries?
A: Yes, we can notarize documents from other countries, provided they meet the notarization requirements in South Dakota. According to notary best practices, notaries should only notarize documents they can understand. Our notary is proficient in English, so please ensure that any documents in other languages are accompanied by a certified English translation.
Appointment Questions:
Q: How do I book an appointment?
A: You can use the ‘Book Appointment’ button found in the right top corner of the website.
Q: What should I bring to my appointment?
A: Please bring a valid photo ID and the complete documents you need notarized, for more details on this please read our Appointment Guide.
Q: What forms of identification are acceptable?
A: Any government issued ID with a photo, that is unexpired is acceptable. Examples include:
Driver's License
State Issued ID Card
Passport
Tribal ID
Military Identification
Permanant Resident Card
Student ID
Q: How much do your services cost?
A: Notary Fee: $10.00 dollars per document notarized. Travel Fee: $9.50 for travel to a meeting location in Rapid City, Box Elder or Summerset, SD.
Q: How do I reschedule or cancel my appointment?
A: Appointments can be rescheduled or canceled using the change/cancel button found at the bottom of the confirmation email sent at the time of booking.
Q: Why is the change/cancel button gone?
A: If the button is gone, it means it is past the 2-hour cut off time before a scheduled appointment. To reschedule or cancel an appointment, you will need to contact us directly at modify@sealedbysam.com. Doing so will qualify as a late cancellation or reschedule as stated in our Cancellation Policy, which means additional fees and partial refunds will apply. Please only use this option in legitimate cases of emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
Q: What if I can’t sign my name?
A: If you can’t sign your name, you can make a mark like an “X” on the document. You must bring a witness that you trust and that can verify your identity, who will write your name next to your mark and sign as a witness. It is the person who schedules the appointment responsibility to bring a witness, the appointment will need to be rescheduled if there is no witness provided.
Q: Do witnesses need to bring an ID?
A: As a best practice, witnesses will be asked to present identification to ensure credibility.
Other Questions:
Q: What if I have questions or need help?
A: You can contact us by using the form found on our Contact Us page, by directly emailing us at info@sealedbysam.com or calling us at (605) 519-8252 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Q: What is your response time for inquiries?
A: We strive to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. Whether you contact us via email, through our website, or by phone, we are dedicated to delivering prompt and effective service for your notary needs.
Q: What are your operating hours?
A: Our standard operating hours are Monday - Thursday, 10:30am to 5:30pm. We are open on all holidays that fall within our schedule expect Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Q: What if I need a notary outside of your operating hours?
A: We understand that emergencies happen. If you need a notary outside of our standard operating hours, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that availability outside of operating hours is not guaranteed.