Do i need a notary?

[Account Closed]

Ok i bought some contracts on the internet

Now what? Do i just make my partner sign it?

Or do i have to take him with a notary then sign the contract?

[Mike S.]

A contract is a contract. It could be verbal or in writing. As long as both parties abide by the agreement it is not a problem. However, if an issue arise and one of you need to enforce the contract on the other, you will have to seek an arbitration or go to court. And that is where the problem lies. If it is a verbal contract, that is your word against his. Who will the judge believe? If it is in writing, one party can always state that their signature was forged. If it is notarized however, that would be difficult to invalidate it.

Last but not least, by law some contracts have to be in writing (real estate sale for instance). Also, if you want to have your contract recorded (like for a lien that you put on a property that you want to record to publicize that the property is encumbered and to make sure that you keep your first position), it has to be notarized.

To get a document notarized, the signer should sign it in front of a notary. Then either you bring the notary to the person, or you bring the person to the notary...