How to Get a Document Notarized in Knoxville, Tennessee
How to Get a Document Notarized in Knoxville, Tennessee
When you need a document notarized in Knoxville, the first step is determining whether you need an in-person mobile notary or whether the document can be completed through Remote Online Notarization.
Knox Notary Co. provides mobile notary appointments throughout the greater Knoxville area, along with online notarization for eligible signers and documents. This guide explains how the process works, what to bring and what to confirm before scheduling.
Need a Knoxville Notary?
Call or text (865) 287-5144 or email knoxnotaryco@gmail.com to discuss your document and request an appointment.
What Does a Notary Public Do?
A Tennessee Notary Public performs specific official acts involving a signer and a document.
Depending on the type of notarial certificate, the notary may:
Verify the signer’s identity
Confirm that the signer is acting willingly
Witness a signature
Receive the signer’s acknowledgment of an existing signature
Administer an oath or affirmation
Complete the notarial certificate
Apply the official notary signature and seal
A notary does not verify that the document is accurate, legally sufficient or enforceable. Notarization also does not guarantee that every bank, court, title company, government agency or other receiving organization will accept the document.
Questions about the contents or legal effect of a document should be directed to the document preparer, attorney or receiving party.
Options for Getting a Document Notarized in Knoxville
Knox Notary Co. offers two main options: an in-person mobile appointment or Remote Online Notarization.
1. Mobile Notary Service in Knoxville
With a mobile notary appointment, the notary travels to an agreed-upon location.
Appointments may be available at:
Homes
Offices
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Assisted-living communities
Rehabilitation facilities
Restaurants or public meeting locations
Correctional facilities
Title and real estate offices
Mobile service is helpful when a signer cannot travel, several people need to meet in one location or the document must be completed in person.
How a Mobile Notary Appointment Works
Contact Knox Notary Co. with the document type, appointment address, number of signers and preferred time.
Confirm whether the document requires witnesses and who will provide them.
Gather the complete document and acceptable identification.
Wait to sign unless the document preparer or receiving party has confirmed that signing beforehand is permitted.
Meet with the notary and complete the required notarial act.
Receive the completed document or follow any return instructions provided by the receiving party.
Travel fees and availability may vary based on the location, appointment time, parking requirements, waiting time and number of signers.
Knoxville Mobile Notary Service Area
Mobile appointments may be available in:
Knoxville
Farragut
Powell
Halls
Karns
Hardin Valley
Maryville
Alcoa
Oak Ridge
Clinton
Lenoir City
Sevierville
Surrounding East Tennessee communities
Primary coverage includes Knox County and portions of Blount, Loudon, Anderson, Sevier and Union counties.
Contact Knox Notary Co. with the exact address to confirm availability and travel pricing.
2. Remote Online Notarization
Remote Online Notarization, commonly called RON, allows an eligible signer and a commissioned Tennessee online notary to complete a notarization through live audio-video technology.
The Tennessee online notary must be physically located in Tennessee during the notarization. The signer may generally participate from Tennessee, another state or outside the United States.
Tennessee requires an online notary to hold a traditional notary commission and receive separate approval to act as an online notary. The technology used must support identity proofing, credential analysis, live audio-video communication and storage of the required records.
How an Online Notary Appointment Works
Confirm that the receiving organization accepts electronic signatures and Remote Online Notarization.
Submit the complete electronic document.
Join the secure online platform using a compatible device.
Present identification and complete the required identity-verification process.
Meet with the notary through live video.
Sign the document electronically.
Receive the completed electronic document after the session is finalized.
Online Identity Verification
A valid photo ID may be only one part of the online identity-verification process.
Depending on the RON platform, the signer may also need:
A U.S. Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
A current or previous U.S. address
Sufficient U.S. public-record or credit history
The ability to answer knowledge-based identity questions
The ability to photograph an identification credential
A live selfie or biometric comparison
These are platform identity-proofing requirements, not a Tennessee requirement that every signer possess a Social Security number.
An out-of-state or international signer may qualify for RON, but a signer with limited U.S. records may be unable to complete the identity-verification process through a particular platform.
Contact Knox Notary Co. before scheduling if the signer:
Is located outside the United States
Does not have an SSN or ITIN
Has never had a U.S. address
Has limited U.S. credit or public-record history
Plans to use a foreign identification credential
Documents Commonly Presented for Notarization
People commonly contact Knox Notary Co. about:
Powers of attorney
Affidavits and sworn statements
Real estate deeds
Refinance and home-equity loan packages
Seller and buyer closing documents
Trust and estate-planning documents
Healthcare authorizations and advance directives
Minor travel consent forms
Medical consent forms
Vehicle title and ownership documents
Business authorizations and agreements
Identity and name-discrepancy affidavits
School and employment forms
A document being included on this list does not mean it always requires notarization.
The requirements depend on the document, applicable law and receiving organization. Confirm the signing, witness and notarization instructions before your appointment.
What Should I Bring to a Notary Appointment?
Most signers should have:
The complete document
Acceptable government-issued identification
Any instructions from the receiving party
Any required witnesses
Supporting documents requested by the receiving organization
A payment method confirmed when scheduling
Complete the factual information you are responsible for before the appointment, but do not sign unless you know that signing beforehand is permitted.
Each signer must personally appear before the notary, either in person or through an eligible online notarization process. The signer must also be willing to participate and able to communicate directly with the notary.
What Identification Is Accepted?
Signers generally need government-issued identification containing identifying information and a photograph.
Common examples may include:
A state driver’s license
A state identification card
A U.S. passport
Another qualifying government-issued identification credential
Identification requirements can depend on the notarial act and circumstances.
Contact Knox Notary Co. before scheduling if the signer:
Has expired identification
Has damaged identification
Recently changed their name
Has a name on the ID that differs from the document
Does not have standard photo identification
Plans to use a foreign passport or identification card
For Remote Online Notarization, the identification must also be compatible with the platform’s electronic credential-analysis process.
Should I Sign the Document Before the Appointment?
When you are unsure, wait to sign until you meet with the notary.
A document requiring a jurat generally must be signed in the notary’s presence because the signer must take an oath or affirmation.
A document containing an acknowledgment may sometimes be signed before the appointment, but the signer must still personally appear and acknowledge signing it willingly.
The notary cannot select the type of notarization for you. The required notarial act should be identified by the document, document preparer, attorney or receiving party.
Do I Need Witnesses?
Witness requirements depend on the document, applicable law and receiving organization.
Before scheduling, confirm:
Whether witnesses are required
How many witnesses are needed
Whether the witnesses must be disinterested
Whether family members may act as witnesses
Whether the notary may also serve as a witness
Whether witnesses must show identification
Whether remote witnesses are permitted
Do not assume that every will, power of attorney, trust or healthcare document has the same witness requirements.
Witness availability may be arranged for certain appointments with advance notice. Additional fees may apply.
Can a Notary Come to a Hospital or Nursing Home?
Yes. Mobile appointments may be available at Knoxville-area hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and assisted-living communities.
Before scheduling, confirm:
The signer has acceptable identification
The signer can communicate directly with the notary
The signer understands that a notarization is taking place
The signer is participating willingly
The facility permits the visit
The complete document is ready
All required witnesses will be present
The signer is available and awake at the appointment time
A notary does not make a medical diagnosis or provide a legal determination of capacity.
The notary must make an independent decision about whether the signer appears aware of the transaction, is acting willingly and can communicate sufficiently for the requested notarial act.
An appointment may need to be postponed or declined if the signer is heavily sedated, unable to communicate, unaware of the document or being pressured by another person.
Can You Notarize a Power of Attorney?
Powers of attorney are commonly presented for notarization.
The person granting the authority generally needs to participate personally in the notarization.
Before scheduling, confirm:
Which signatures require notarization
Whether witnesses are required
Whether the document permits electronic signing
Whether the receiving organization accepts RON
Whether the receiving party requires an original paper document
A notary cannot prepare a power of attorney, explain which powers should be granted or determine whether the document is legally appropriate.
How Much Does a Mobile Notary Cost in Knoxville?
The total price for a mobile appointment may depend on:
Travel distance
Appointment time
Number of signers
Number of notarizations
Waiting time
Parking or facility-access requirements
Witness coordination
Printing
Scanbacks
Document shipping or delivery
Send the appointment address, document type, number of signers and preferred time to receive a quote before scheduling.
How Much Does Remote Online Notarization Cost?
Tennessee permits a fee of up to $25 for each online notarization.
A single document may contain more than one notarization. The number of documents, signatures and notarial acts are not always the same.
Provide the document, number of signers and number of signatures requiring notarization to receive an accurate quote.
Why Choose Knox Notary Co.?
More than 20 years of notary, loan-signing, title and mortgage experience
Mobile service throughout Knoxville and surrounding East Tennessee communities
Remote Online Notarization for eligible signers across the United States and abroad
NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent
Commissioned Tennessee Notary Public and Remote Online Notary
Bonded and insured
Experience with real estate closings, powers of attorney, affidavits and estate-related appointments
Evening and weekend availability by appointment
Direct communication with William Croce
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are recommended so availability, travel, identification and document requirements can be confirmed in advance.
Same-day service may be available depending on the location and schedule.
Can you come to my home or office?
Yes. Mobile appointments may be scheduled at homes, offices and other agreed-upon locations throughout the greater Knoxville area.
Can you notarize a document that is already signed?
Possibly.
A document containing an acknowledgment may sometimes be notarized after it has been signed, provided the signer personally appears and acknowledges the signature. A document requiring a jurat generally must be signed in the notary’s presence.
Can you tell me whether my document needs to be notarized?
The notary can review the document for existing notarial wording and explain the available notarial acts.
The notary cannot determine whether notarization is legally required or select a notarial act for the signer. Confirm that information with the document preparer, attorney or receiving party.
Can you provide witnesses?
Witnesses may be arranged for certain appointments with advance notice.
Confirm the number of witnesses, eligibility requirements and any additional fees when scheduling.
Can I use Remote Online Notarization if I am outside Tennessee?
Potentially.
The Tennessee online notary must be physically located in Tennessee, but the signer may generally participate from another state or country.
The signer must still complete identity verification, use compatible technology and confirm that the receiving organization accepts RON.
Will notarization guarantee that my document is accepted?
No.
Notarization confirms that the required notarial act was completed. It does not guarantee that every court, bank, government agency, title company or other receiving party will accept the document.
Schedule a Knoxville Mobile or Online Notary
Knox Notary Co. provides mobile notary appointments throughout the greater Knoxville area and Remote Online Notarization for eligible signers and documents.
When contacting Knox Notary Co., please provide:
The document type
Appointment location
Number of signers
Number of documents
Witness requirements
Preferred date and time
Any deadline
Instructions from the receiving party
Call or text: (865) 287-5144
Email: knoxnotaryco@gmail.com
About the Author
William Croce is a Tennessee Notary Public and commissioned Remote Online Notary with more than 20 years of experience in notarization, mortgage closings, title operations and digital-closing workflows.
He provides mobile notary service throughout the greater Knoxville area and Remote Online Notarization for eligible signers and documents throughout the United States and abroad.
Important Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.
Knox Notary Co. does not prepare legal documents, determine which notarial act a signer should select or guarantee that a document will be accepted by a court, financial institution, government agency, title company or other receiving party.
Laws, administrative rules, identity-verification methods, platform requirements and receiving-party policies can change. Confirm current document, witness, identification, signing and submission requirements before scheduling.