Got Questions? We Have Answers.

Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our mobile notary services, online notarization (RON), apostille facilitation, real estate closings, and estate document notarization. We also cover important topics like identification requirements, scheduling, and service availability.

Our goal is to help you understand the process, prepare for your appointment, and know exactly what to expect so your documents are handled quickly, accurately, and in full compliance with New York State requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mobile notary and an online notary?

A mobile notary travels to your home, office, or another location to perform in-person notarizations. This is ideal for documents that require physical witnesses or when face-to-face signing is preferred.

An online notary (also called Remote Online Notarization – RON) notarizes documents remotely using a secure, state-approved video platform. The notary verifies your identity through video, oversees the signing process, and applies an electronic notary seal. Online notarization is convenient because you can complete the process from anywhere, as long as the notary is located in New York.

What types of documents can you notarize online?

We can notarize a wide range of documents through Remote Online Notarization (RON), including:

  • Contracts and business agreements

  • Affidavits and sworn statements

  • Parental consent and travel permission forms

  • School and university forms

  • General legal and financial documents

Some documents, such as wills, trusts, or those requiring physical witnesses, cannot be notarized online under New York law. If you’re unsure whether your document qualifies, contact us and we’ll confirm before booking your appointment.

What is an apostille and when would I need one?

An apostille is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State that authenticates the origin of a document so it can be legally recognized in a Hague Convention member country.

You typically need an apostille when submitting U.S.-issued documents — such as birth or marriage certificates, school transcripts, FBI background checks, or notarized legal documents — to foreign authorities for legal, educational, or business purposes.

If your destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, you may instead need an authentication from the U.S. Department of State.

How do I get an apostille for my documents?

To obtain an apostille, your documents must be submitted to the proper government authority for certification. In New York, this is typically the Department of State, while certain federal documents go through the U.S. Department of State.

At Alisha’s Mobile Notary Service, we simplify this process by reviewing your documents for eligibility, ensuring they meet all requirements, and submitting them on your behalf. This saves you time, avoids errors, and ensures your documents are returned with the correct apostille certificate for international use.

Can you handle real estate closing documents?

Yes. At Alisha’s Mobile Notary Service, we provide comprehensive real estate closing notary services. This includes purchase closings, refinances, HELOCs, loan modifications, seller packages, and reverse mortgages.

We ensure all documents are properly signed, notarized, and compliant with New York State regulations, helping lenders, buyers, and sellers complete their closings smoothly and on time.

Do you provide loan signing services for buyers and sellers?

Yes. We provide professional loan signing services for both buyers and sellers. Our role is to guide signers through their closing packages, verify identities, witness signatures, and ensure all documents are executed accurately.

Whether it’s a purchase, refinance, HELOC, or seller package, we make the process smooth, organized, and compliant with New York State requirements — giving confidence to both the signer and the lender.

Can you notarize estate planning documents like powers of attorney?

Yes. We are experienced in notarizing a full range of estate planning documents, including powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and healthcare directives. During the appointment, we verify the signer’s identity, ensure signatures are made willingly, and provide proper witnessing when required.

By choosing a professional notary, you help ensure your estate documents are valid, enforceable, and protected from future disputes.

What identification do I need for notarization?

For any notarization in New York State, you must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. Commonly accepted IDs include:

  • Driver’s license

  • Passport (U.S. or foreign)

  • State-issued identification card

If you do not have one of these, New York law also permits notarization using two credible witnesses who can verify your identity, or two different qualifying forms of ID that meet state requirements.

Ready to Get Started?

If you didn’t find your answer here, we’re happy to help. Contact us today to discuss your notary, apostille, real estate closing, or estate document needs, or book your service directly online.

More frequently asked questions

Can you notarize documents if my ID is expired?

No. Under New York law, you must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport.

If you do not have a current ID, notarization may still be possible using two credible witnesses who can verify your identity, or two different qualifying forms of identification that meet New York State requirements.

How much do your notary and apostille services cost?

Our fees vary based on the type of service, the number of documents, and whether you need mobile, online, or apostille facilitation. For example, notarization of standard documents is priced differently from real estate closings or apostille processing for international use.

To receive an accurate quote, please contact us with details about your documents and location. We’ll provide clear pricing upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Do you travel outside your normal service area?

Yes. We can travel outside our standard Hudson Valley service area for an additional travel fee. If you’re located beyond our usual coverage, contact us with your location and document needs, and we’ll confirm availability and provide a clear quote before scheduling.

How soon can I schedule an appointment?

We offer flexible scheduling and can often accommodate same-day or next-day notary appointments, depending on availability. For the fastest service, contact us directly to confirm open times.

What forms of payment do you accept?

For your convenience, we accept cash, major credit cards, and mobile payment options such as digital wallets or payment apps. At this time, we do not accept personal checks.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

Yes. We offer evening and weekend notary appointments to accommodate your schedule. Whether you need a mobile notary, online notarization, or apostille service, we provide flexible availability outside of standard business hours.

Customer Experience

At Alisha’s Mobile Notary Service, our priority is to make the notarization process convenient, accurate, and stress-free. We travel to your home, office, or another location that works best for you, and we offer flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends.

Our services go beyond basic notarization — we also provide apostille facilitation, remote online notarization (RON), real estate closings, and estate document notarizations. Every appointment is handled with attention to detail, respect for your privacy, and a commitment to ensuring your documents are executed correctly the first time.

Expertise

At Alisha’s Mobile Notary Service, we bring proven experience handling time-sensitive and complex notarizations. Examples include:

  • Facilitating last-minute estate document signings at hospitals and care facilities.

  • Completing real estate closing packages for out-of-state buyers through remote online notarization (RON).

  • Obtaining apostilles for documents urgently needed for international use.

  • Guiding clients through challenging identification issues, such as recently expired IDs, by helping them meet New York State requirements so their notarization could proceed legally and on time.

These experiences demonstrate our ability to adapt, problem-solve, and ensure accuracy under unique circumstances — giving clients confidence that their documents will be completed correctly the first time.

Important Details to Know Before Hiring a Mobile Notary

Before scheduling a notary appointment, clients should confirm a few key details to ensure a smooth experience:

  • Document Type – Know which documents you need notarized and whether they can legally be notarized in New York State.

  • Identification – Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, or confirm if witnesses or alternative ID options are required.

  • Fees & Travel Charges – Understand the service fee, any additional costs for travel, and whether expedited handling is available.

  • Witness Requirements – Clarify if your document requires witnesses and whether you need to provide them.

  • Availability – Check the notary’s scheduling options, especially for time-sensitive or evening/weekend appointments.

  • Additional Services – Ask if the notary offers related services such as apostille facilitation, remote online notarization (RON), real estate closings, or estate planning document notarization.

Having these details in advance helps ensure your appointment runs smoothly and your documents are executed correctly the first time.

Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, don’t worry — we’re happy to guide you. At Alisha’s Mobile Notary Service, we provide mobile notarization, online notarization (RON), apostille facilitation, real estate closings, and estate document notarizations. Every service is handled with accuracy, professionalism, and respect for your time.

📞 Call or text (845) 670-4208
✉️ Email: alisha@alishasmns.com