The Howell Carnegie District Library (HCDL) offers notary services. Staff may be available as notaries during regular library hours, up to 30 minutes before closing. HCDL provides the services of a notary public on a walk-in basis at no charge for up to eight documents per person per day.

HCDL recommends that anyone needing notary service call the library prior to the visit to ensure that a notary is available. HCDL cannot guarantee the availability of a notary public at any particular time.

What to Bring

  • Completed, unsigned, document(s) to be notarized.
  • A witness or witnesses, if required by your document. HCDL will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may NOT be solicited from among library patrons. To serve as a witness, the witness must personally know the person whose documents are being notarized and must present a valid photo identification.
  • A valid, unexpired, state ID, federal ID, or other government ID with signature and photos (such as a driver’s license, state ID card, US military ID, or US passport).

HCDL Cannot Notarize

  • Documents that are already signed. (Signatures must be witnessed by the Notary Public).
  • Documents with blank spaces other than the space for signature.
  • HCDL’s notaries cannot “certify a copy” (e.g., verify that a reproduction of an original document is a true, complete and correct copy of the original).

HCDL Will Not Notarize

  • Trusts
  • Any document that requires a determination of the signer’s state of mind, competency or capacity to sign a document.
  • Notary protests
  • Homeland Security I-9 forms
  • Blank forms

Other Things to Know

  • Notaries are regulated by Michigan Notary Public Act 238 of 2003. HCDL notaries will not notarize documents in any manner that violates Michigan laws and regulations. Notaries will not prepare or complete documents for the public, nor can they give legal advice on a matter.
  • In accordance with Michigan law, notaries will not provide service if the document or circumstances of the request for notary service raise any issues of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the library. HCDL notaries may, at their sole discretion, decline to provide notary service at any time and for any reason.
  • HCDL notary staff are unable to perform notary services outside of the library building or outside of regular library hours.
  • The notaries will maintain a journal in which each transaction will be noted, along with the identification provided.
  • HCDL notaries are not permitted to make a use of a translator to communicate with a notary service customer.

Approved 8/2022
Amended 2/2023