A notary who knows what he's doing.
That's the whole difference.

Your lender or title company prepares the full closing package and sends it to us directly before your appointment. You'll need a valid, government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID — for identity verification at the signing table. Bring any down-payment or closing cost cashier's checks your lender specified in their instructions. Don't bring personal checks — lenders require certified or official funds for closing costs. If you're a borrower, your lender will have already walked you through which documents to bring; if you're a co-signer or other party, confirm with whoever referred you. Beyond your ID and any required funds, everything else you need is in the closing package we'll have in hand when we arrive. We review the package before the appointment for completeness and signing logistics — confirm the right documents are present, the signature and initial blanks are filled in, and the signing sequence is clear. Minnesota's statutory notarial fees apply, which covers document review, scheduling, travel, and coordination with your title company and lender. Your total cost is confirmed before you commit.

Remote Online Notarization — RON — lets you get documents notarized over a secure, live video session without anyone needing to travel. During the session, your identity is verified through a combination of credential analysis (the notary reviews your government-issued ID electronically) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA — a short quiz based on your public record history). You sign the documents electronically, the notary applies their digital seal and signature online, and the entire session is recorded and stored as part of the notarial record. It's legally equivalent to an in-person notarization in Minnesota and most other states. RON is particularly useful when timing is tight, when signers are spread across different locations, or when getting to a physical location would be difficult. Most lenders and title companies accept RON for mortgage transactions — but confirm with your lender or title officer before booking, since some transaction types still require wet signatures. Same-day RON appointments are available — text or call (612) 552-1186 to schedule.

For standard loan signings and general notary appointments in the Twin Cities metro, 24–48 hours notice is ideal. That gives us time to coordinate with your title company, receive the document package, and review everything before we arrive so the signing goes smoothly. Same-day bookings are available — just call or text (612) 552-1186 and we'll confirm availability within the hour. For RON appointments, even same-day scheduling is typically straightforward since there's no travel coordination involved. If you're scheduling a hospital, hospice, or nursing home visit, give us as much lead time as possible — we'll make it work, but advance notice helps us coordinate around care staff schedules and facility access requirements. For loan signings with a hard closing deadline, book as soon as your title officer gives you a signing date. The earlier we know, the more we can do to prevent surprises at the table.

Yes, same-day is a core part of how we operate. We're available seven days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM, and we keep capacity open throughout the day specifically for urgent requests. For the fastest possible confirmation, call or text (612) 552-1186 rather than submitting an online form — we respond to texts and calls within minutes, and same-day appointments can often be scheduled for the same morning or afternoon. Online booking is available 24/7 for standard scheduling, but if your closing is tomorrow or you're dealing with a time-sensitive situation, go direct to phone or text. Same-day RON is particularly quick to arrange since there's no travel involved — if both parties have their documents ready, we can often complete a RON session within a few hours of your call. Emergency hospital and care facility visits may take slightly longer to coordinate around staff schedules, but we prioritize these and work as fast as the situation allows.

Standard appointments are available 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week — that's our baseline for scheduling. Emergency, hospital, hospice, jail, and other urgent appointments outside those hours are available based on scheduling, urgency, and location — don't assume we're closed if you're calling after 8 PM or before 8 AM. For the fastest response on any same-day or urgent request, call or text (612) 552-1186. Online booking is available 24/7 for standard appointments. RON (Remote Online Notarization) is available with flexible scheduling including evenings, weekends, and same-day — contact us to arrange.

We serve a 45-mile radius from Lakeville, MN — the heart of Dakota County and the broader Twin Cities metro. That covers Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Savage, Shakopee, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Woodbury, Inver Grove Heights, Cottage Grove, Northfield, Prior Lake, Maplewood, Roseville, and many surrounding communities. Primary counties served are Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey — but we regularly service Scott, Washington, and Goodhue Counties as well. For locations beyond 45 miles from Lakeville, contact us and we'll discuss options — travel arrangements and associated fees are handled on a case-by-case basis. RON is available to anyone with an internet connection and a compatible device, regardless of location — no travel required. If you're unsure whether your location falls within our standard service area, just text or call with your address and we'll let you know immediately.

Mobile appointment (general notary) is a flat $75 — includes travel and up to 2 signers across all three counties. Loan signing: $150 Dakota County, $175 Hennepin & Ramsey Counties — no deposit required. Remote Online Notarization (RON): $50 first signature, $25 each additional signer. Hospital and hospice visits are $175 flat. Jail and detention facility visits are $200 flat. After-hours (after 8 PM) adds $50; weekend (Sat/Sun) adds $50; additional signers beyond 2 add $10 each. Your quote is confirmed before you commit — no surprises on the day of signing. See our Pricing section for the full rate breakdown, or contact us with your document type and location for an exact figure.

Minnesota's statutory notarial fees apply (signature, seal, acknowledgment, jurat, etc.). These fees cover the notarial act itself and are the same whether you come to us or go anywhere else in Minnesota. Mobile notary and loan signing services involve additional fees that reflect travel, scheduling coordination, document review for completeness and signing logistics, and communication with your title company and lender — none of which are covered by the statutory notarial fee. Loan signing agent fees specifically cover the time and expertise to manage a complete closing package: reviewing documents, coordinating signatures and initials across dozens of pages, verifying the signing sequence, and ensuring all required acknowledgments are completed correctly. RON (Remote Online Notarization) fees are separate from all of the above and reflect the technology platform, identity verification infrastructure, and additional notarization requirements specific to remote sessions. Your total cost is confirmed before you commit — see our Pricing section or contact us for an exact figure.

Yes. Jeffrey S. Straub carries Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance — the standard professional liability coverage for notary publics and signing agents. He is also background-screened, Minnesota-commissioned, and NNA-certified through the National Notary Association. E&O insurance means that if something goes wrong with a notarial act — a defect in the process that causes financial harm to a lender, title company, or signer — there's coverage in place to address it. This matters because many title companies, lenders, and signing services require proof of insurance before assigning a closing, and some won't work with notaries who can't provide a credentialing package on request. If your transaction requires documentation of our coverage, let us know when you book and we'll have it ready before the signing. Our insurance and certifications are current and available for inspection at any time — no waiting, no back-and-forth. For lenders using a signing service or portal, we're happy to upload our credentials directly to your system so there's no friction on your end.

Yes — Powers of Attorney (POAs) are among the most commonly notarized documents we handle. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives one person the authority to act on behalf of another in financial, healthcare, or legal matters. In Minnesota, POAs require the principal (the person granting the authority) to sign in front of a notary, who then verifies their identity and witnesses the signature. We come to wherever the principal is — their home, office, hospital room, or care facility — to complete the notarization. We can notarize a properly completed Power of Attorney when the signer appears aware of the nature of the signing and is acting voluntarily. If the principal has difficulty signing due to a physical condition, we work with their care team to find a solution that meets Minnesota's signature requirements. If the POA will be used for real estate transactions, confirm with the county recorder's office or title company that they accept the specific POA format being used. When scheduling a POA notarization, have your document ready so we can confirm all fields are properly completed before arrival.

Yes, and hospital visits are a significant part of the work we do. When a family member is recovering, time is often critical — signing paperwork can be the difference between completing a transaction on schedule and missing a deadline. We coordinate directly with the patient's care team to schedule around medical staff availability and visitor policies. You don't need to worry about navigating the hospital system — give us the patient's name, room number, and floor, and we'll handle the rest. Expect us to arrive with a clear plan for the documents and to work efficiently to minimize time in the room. One important note: the patient must be alert and capable of confirming their identity for a notarization to be valid. If the patient is sedated or cognitively impaired, the notarization cannot legally proceed. In those situations, we'll explain the limitation, defer the signing, and recommend that the family consult the patient's attorney or healthcare team.

Yes, nursing home visits are handled routinely. Many of our estate document and Power of Attorney signings happen in care facilities across Dakota County, the Twin Cities metro, and surrounding areas. We work around the facility's schedule — visiting hours, medication times, and staff availability — and coordinate with the designated contact at the facility before we arrive. The resident must be alert, capable of independent identity confirmation, and willing to sign. If a resident has cognitive decline or is under a guardianship, the notarization follows different rules — we'll ask about the resident's condition and ability to participate in the signing before scheduling. For facilities in Lakeville, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the surrounding Dakota County area, we typically have good familiarity with the staff and access procedures. For facilities in other areas, we confirm access requirements when booking. Nursing home visits often involve multiple family members who want to be present — we accommodate this and make sure everyone understands what they're signing.

Yes. Hospice notarizations are often time-sensitive — they're usually part of finalizing an estate plan or a healthcare directive before a loved one passes. We treat these appointments with the gravity they deserve and work as quickly as the situation allows. We coordinate directly with hospice staff and the patient's family to schedule at a time that works for everyone and respects the patient's condition. Like all notarizations, the signer must be alert, capable of confirming their own identity, and signing of their own free will — we won't rush anyone, and we'll wait if a patient needs a moment. If the hospice patient is in the final hours of life, contact us as soon as possible and we'll make every effort to get there in time. For healthcare directives, POLST forms, and similar documents, the hospice social worker or case manager is often a good resource for understanding what's needed — they can also help coordinate if multiple family members need to be present for the signing.

Yes — we regularly notarize estate-related documents including wills, trusts, pour-over wills, beneficiary deed assignments, affidavit of survivorship documents, and other instruments prepared by attorneys, clients, title companies, or other authorized parties. Many estate documents require notarization as part of the county recording or transfer process — for example, a beneficiary deed on a Minnesota property must be notarized before the county recorder will accept it. We come to the signer — whether they're at home, in a care facility, or at a hospital — to complete the notarization. If you're working with an estate attorney, they typically prepare the documents and walk you through what each one does; our job is to ensure the signing and notarization process is completed properly. Bring all estate documents to the signing table; we review them for completeness before you sign. If you're coordinating an estate signing involving multiple family members across different locations, give us a heads up and we'll work with you to find a time that works for everyone.

It depends on the document. Some documents — certain wills, healthcare directives, POLST forms, and specific real estate instruments — require witness signatures in addition to notarization under Minnesota law. When witnesses are required, they must be adults (18+ in Minnesota), not named in the document as a beneficiary or party, and physically present at the time of signing. We can often arrange witnesses for your appointment — just let us know when you book that witnesses are needed and we'll plan the signing process accordingly. If you have family members or friends available to serve as witnesses, that's usually the simplest path — confirm with us in advance so we can build the schedule around them. For RON sessions, witness requirements depend on the document type and platform-specific rules — ask us when you book and we'll explain what's needed for your situation. Documents that don't require witnesses still require notarization — we handle that regardless of whether a witness is present. When in doubt about whether your document needs a witness, check with whoever prepared the document — your attorney, title company, or lender — or contact us before the signing and we'll walk you through what the process will look like.

Every signer must present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the time of signing — a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID are all acceptable. The ID must not be expired and must show a recognizable photo that matches the signer's current appearance. For RON sessions, identity verification is conducted electronically — through credential analysis (a scan of your ID) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA), a short quiz using information from your public record history. Both methods are approved under Minnesota's RON statutes and considered equivalent to physical ID presentation. If a signer doesn't have a valid government-ID, contact us before booking — in limited circumstances, credible swearing by a known credible witness may be used as an alternative identity verification method under Minnesota law, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Name discrepancies between the ID and the document (due to marriage, divorce, etc.) are not uncommon — if names differ, additional documentation or instructions from the document preparer, title company, lender, or attorney may be required to confirm the signer's identity and authority.

We meet clients at mutually agreed locations — not at our personal residence. For general notary work, home signings are a popular option for estate documents, Powers of Attorney, and other notarizations where meeting at a public or professional location works for everyone. Common locations include the client's home, a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee, a library, an office, a hospital, a nursing home, a care facility, or a title company office — wherever is most practical for the signer. For loan signings, meetings are typically at the property being refinanced or sold, or at another location your lender or title company has authorized. We come to wherever makes sense for the transaction, within our 45-mile service radius from Lakeville — covering most of the Twin Cities metro including Lakeville, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Shakopee, Bloomington, and communities throughout Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties. Standard home visits carry no premium during business hours — evenings and weekends are available. If you have a preferred time window, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Elderly signers are common in our practice — estate documents, Powers of Attorney, healthcare directives, and property transfers are routine transactions for older adults. The key requirement is that the signer is alert and appears aware of the nature of the signing — able to independently confirm their identity and act voluntarily. We take extra time with elderly clients to make sure they're comfortable and that nothing is rushed. We answer questions clearly without using legal jargon. We don't pressure anyone to sign — if a signer has second thoughts or wants to read documents more carefully, we wait. If the signer has a caregiver or family member present, we keep them informed. If there are questions about a signer's capacity at the time of the appointment, we address those before proceeding — notarization requires that the signer independently confirms their identity and understands what they're signing. In those situations, we'll explain the limitation and discuss next steps, which may include deferring the signing or involving a court-appointed guardian or healthcare proxy.

We come to wherever the signer is — their home, a care facility, a hospital room, or another location within our service area. If the signer has a physical disability that affects their ability to sign a document, there are options. Minnesota law allows a signer to use a mark or "X" signature if they're physically unable to write their name — this must be witnessed by two adults who also sign the document. We arrange for witnesses and guide the process. If the signer can use a different hand or a different part of their body to sign, we accommodate that. If the signer uses an assistive device or communication aid and can clearly indicate their intent, we note that in the notarial record. We work with the signer's care team — occupational therapists, case managers, or facility staff — to understand any specific requirements. The notary's job is to verify identity and witness the act of signing; if the signer has questions about what a document means, we direct them to their attorney before signing proceeds. We've handled a wide range of physical disabilities over years of practice — just describe the situation when you call, and we'll work through the specifics together.

Then we come to the care facility — that's what mobile notary service means. Whether the signer is in a nursing home, assisted living, memory care, a rehabilitation center, or a long-term care facility in the Twin Cities metro, we schedule a visit around the facility's schedule and the resident's condition. Call or text us with the facility name, address, unit, and the signer's name, and we'll handle the logistics from there. We coordinate with facility staff to confirm visiting hours, any access requirements (some facilities require advance notice or staff escort), and the best time to arrive. On the day of the appointment, we bring all documents prepared, guide the signer through the execution process and identify where signatures, initials, and notarizations are required, verify identity, and complete the notarization. Family members are welcome to be present. If the facility has specific health protocols, let us know in advance so we come prepared. One important requirement: the signer must appear aware of the nature of the signing and be acting voluntarily — if there are questions about the signer's capacity, we'll discuss that before we commit to the appointment.