Notary Instructions

Everything you need to know about getting your resignation letter notarized.

What is notarization?

Because some states require exact language to be used when notarizing a document, we are unable to provide a generic form that works with every area.

The purpose of an acknowledgment is for a signer, whose identity has been verified, to declare to a Notary or notarial officer that he or she willingly signed the document. An acknowledgment is used to verify the identity of the signer and to confirm that they signed the document. They are not swearing to the truthfulness or validity of the document, they are simply acknowledging that you signed the document.

What to ask for

Please ask the notary for an Acknowledgment or ID verification. We only need the notary to verify your identity, and that you were the person that willingly signed the document.

If they offer a stamp

If permitted in your jurisdiction, the notary may stamp your document with their notary stamp. This is ideal but not required.

If they provide a separate page

Some notaries provide a separate acknowledgment page rather than stamping your document directly. This is completely acceptable — just scan and upload both pages together.

Where to find a notary

In the US, this is a service provided by a Notary Public — a trained person who verifies your identity via driver's license or passport, and then stamps a document with their seal to prove that your ID was verified. The fee for this is capped at $15–$20 in most states.

Banks and credit unions
UPS stores
Libraries
Law offices
AAA offices
Real estate offices

Outside the US / Canada

As we understand it, the main concern from the church's law firm is that we validate the identities of people we are representing.

Some countries do not provide a notary service, or if they do, the cost is much higher (sometimes $100–$1,000).

Alternatives in other countries

In some countries, this service is provided by police, constables, court clerks, or a doctor. Please try your best to find a comparable service and the church's law firm will hopefully accept it.

What to bring

  • 1
    Your printed resignation letter. Download it from your dashboard before you go.
  • 2
    A valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's license, passport, or state ID.
  • 3
    Don't sign ahead of time. The notary needs to witness your signature — sign the document in front of them.

After notarization

Once your document has been notarized, scan or photograph all pages (including any separate acknowledgment page) and upload them as a single PDF from your dashboard.

Make sure all pages are legible and the notary seal or acknowledgment is clearly visible. After uploading, we'll take it from there.