Backdating = Jail Time (And Other Rookie Mistakes to Avoid)
This isn’t just paperwork — it’s a legal record. Treat it that way.

You’d be surprised how many brand-new notaries make illegal decisions in the name of “being helpful.” But let’s be crystal clear: one “favor” can cost you your commission, your career, and yes — even your freedom.

Here are some of the biggest rookie mistakes notaries make (including the infamous backdating request) — and how to protect yourself from day one.

🚫 Mistake #1: Backdating a Notarization
What it is: Writing a past date on a notarial certificate instead of the actual date you witnessed the signature.

Why it happens:

The documents were supposed to be signed yesterday
The title company is in a bind
The client begs you to “just help them out”
Why it’s a felony:
Backdating is fraud. You are certifying that something happened on a date when it didn’t — which makes the document false and invalid.

✅ How to respond:

“I’m unable to backdate. I can only notarize documents on the day the signer appears before me.”
And yes, walk away if they insist. No job is worth your license or legal record.

🛑 Mistake #2: Not Identifying the Signer Properly
Accepting expired ID. Letting someone “FaceTime in” to say hi. Not checking names carefully.

Notaries are gatekeepers — you’re there to verify identity, not guess it.

✅ Use only acceptable, valid ID as defined by your state — and if it doesn’t check out, don’t proceed.

⚖ Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Certificate (or None at All)
New notaries often:

Use the wrong notarial wording
Forget to attach a certificate altogether
Use pre-filled certs from the signer or client that are legally wrong
✅ You’re responsible for choosing the correct certificate — not the client.
Don’t just stamp whatever’s handed to you. Know the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat.

🤐 Mistake #4: Giving Legal Advice (Even Accidentally)
You’re not an attorney. So if you:

Tell someone which certificate to use
Explain what a document means
Advise someone on their options…
Congratulations — you’ve just engaged in unauthorized practice of law (UPL).

✅ Stick to facts, not advice. The only “advice” you give should be:

“You may want to speak with the person who gave you this document or consult an attorney.”
 

🧾 Mistake #5: Not Using a Notary Journal (or Using It Incorrectly)
Your journal is your receipt, your proof, and your lifeline in a dispute. Skipping it, half-filling it, or leaving out thumbprints (when required) puts you at risk.

✅ Write clearly. Log every act. Use thumbprints when required. This isn’t extra — it’s insurance.

Rookie Mistakes Don’t Just Cost You Business — They Cost You Everything
We’re talking:

Fines
Legal action
Loss of your commission
Being permanently banned from the industry
Even criminal charges in some states
Don’t let one shortcut ruin a career you’re just starting.

At Notary Academy, We Train You to Stay Safe -and Stay Employed
We don’t just teach how to notarize — we teach how to not get sued, fined, or fired. Because your first mistake shouldn’t be your last signing. Confidence starts with compliance, and that’s what we do best.