Notary Services

Notary Services Guidelines

The Town Clerk's office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Residents seeking Notary Services should call the Town Clerk's office prior to their visit to ensure that the Notary is available.

The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service:

  • Notary Services are available during the normal business hours by appointment only.
  • A valid, government-issued photo identification is required of any customer seeking Notary Service.
  • The document(s) CANNOT already have been signed nor dated.
  • All signers must be present at the time of notarization.
  • If your document requires a witness(s), they must accompany you.
  • The Notary is stating they have witnessed the document being signed
  • The document must contain the appropriate Notarial Statement or Clause, or one will be stamped on the document by the Notary.
  • Documents in any language other than English will not be notarized at this facility.
  • Please be advised that the Clerk's Office does NOT notarize wills, power of attorneys or any real estate documents as per the Standards of Conduct of Notaries Public and Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2016 Section 17(d-f) which advises these documents be completed by attorneys who can provide legal advice.

(d) A notary public who is not an attorney shall not engage in the practice of law. This subsection shall not preclude a notary public who is duly qualified, trained or experienced in a particular industry or professional field from selecting, drafting or completing a certificate or other document related to a matter within that industry or field.
(e) A notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in the commonwealth shall not conduct a real estate closing and shall not act as a real estate closing agent; provided, however, that a notary public who is employed by an attorney so licensed may notarize a document in conjunction with a real estate closing conducted by the attorney and a notary public who is employed by a lender may notarize a document in conjunction with the closing of such lender’s real estate loans.
(f) This section shall apply to a notary public and to any person who employs, contracts with or otherwise uses the services of a notary public with knowledge or reason to know of conduct that is in violation of this section.

  • We are unable to notarized the following: Deeds, depositions, incomplete documents, mortgages, real estates transactions, wills, living wills, living trusts, power of attorney, codicils, certified copies of vital records and/or documents related to selling of or purchasing of homes.
  • Massachusetts law requires that a Notary and the person seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other.
  • This service is provided free of charge.
  • In accordance with Massachusetts Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the customer, document, or circumstances of the request for Notary Service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty. In this event, the Notary may, at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide Notary Services.
  • Additionally, banks, office supply stores, AAA locations, and shipping and mailing services sometimes offer notary services but may charge a fee.

For questions and appointments regarding Notary services please email the Town Clerk's office or call 508-760-6112.