Terms of Service
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the notary services provided by Notary Gig Harbor ("we," "our," or "us") and our website at https://notarygigharbor.com. By booking an appointment or using our services, you agree to these Terms.
Service Scope
Notary Gig Harbor provides notary public services as authorized by the State of Washington, including but not limited to: acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, signature witnessing, copy certifications, mobile notary services, apostille facilitation, remote online notarization, and certified translation coordination.
Important Limitations
- We are not attorneys. We do not provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or interpret the legal meaning or effect of any document. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney.
- We cannot notarize incomplete documents. All documents must be complete and ready for signature before the notarization appointment. Blank spaces (other than the notarial certificate) may prevent us from performing the notarization.
- We must verify identity. We are required by law to verify the identity of every signer using acceptable government-issued photo identification. We cannot perform a notarization if proper identification is not presented.
- We require willing signers. Every signer must appear willingly and demonstrate an understanding of the document they are signing. If we have reason to believe a signer is being coerced, is incapacitated, or does not understand the transaction, we are legally obligated to decline the notarization.
Pricing and Payment
Our current pricing is published on our pricing page. All prices are subject to change with notice. Key pricing terms:
- Notarization fees are $15 per signature (Washington state standard rate)
- Remote online notarization fees are $25 per signature
- Travel fees are flat-rate based on your location (see pricing page for current rates)
- After-hours service (evenings after 7 PM and Sundays) incurs a 1.5x travel fee surcharge
- Holiday service incurs a 2x travel fee surcharge
- Specialty services (apostille, translation) have fixed pricing as listed
Payment is due at the time of service. We accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, Zelle, and all major credit cards.
Appointments and Scheduling
Appointments can be scheduled by phone at (253) 366-6538, by email at support@notarygigharbor.com, or through our online booking system. Appointment confirmations will be sent via text message or email.
Cancellation Policy
- 24-hour notice: We request at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling at no charge.
- Late cancellation (under 24 hours): Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a $25 late cancellation fee.
- No-show: If we arrive at the scheduled location and the signer is not present or not prepared (lacking proper ID or documents), the full travel fee applies.
- Our cancellations: In the rare event we must cancel or reschedule, we will provide as much notice as possible and work with you to find an alternative time at no additional cost.
Signer Responsibilities
By booking a notary appointment, you agree to:
- Present valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification
- Have all documents ready and complete (unsigned) before the appointment
- Ensure all signers are present at the scheduled time and location
- Truthfully represent your identity and willingness to sign
- Provide accurate contact information for scheduling purposes
- Pay all applicable fees at the time of service
Refusal of Service
We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue notary services in the following circumstances:
- The signer cannot produce acceptable identification
- The signer appears to be coerced, confused, or under the influence of substances
- The document is incomplete, illegible, or contains blank spaces
- We have a reasonable belief that the transaction involves fraud or illegality
- The signer cannot communicate directly with the notary (unless a qualified interpreter is arranged in advance)
- Conditions at the signing location are unsafe
If we decline a notarization, no notarization fee will be charged. If we have already traveled to your location, the travel fee still applies.
Limitation of Liability
Notary Gig Harbor carries $100,000 E&O Insurance to protect against errors and omissions in our notarial services. Our liability is limited to the coverage provided by this insurance policy.
We are not liable for the content, legality, or enforceability of any document we notarize. Our role is limited to verifying signer identity, confirming willingness to sign, and performing the notarial act. We do not guarantee that any document will be accepted by any particular institution, court, or foreign government.
In no event shall Notary Gig Harbor be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of our services, regardless of the theory of liability.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Notary Gig Harbor from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from your use of our services, your breach of these Terms, or any misrepresentation made by you during the notarization process.
Intellectual Property
All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, and design, is the property of Notary Gig Harbor and is protected by copyright law. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our website content without our written permission.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington. Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be resolved in the courts of Pierce County, Washington. By using our services, you consent to the jurisdiction of these courts.
Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms of Service, contact us:
- Phone: (253) 366-6538
- Email: support@notarygigharbor.com
- Location: Gig Harbor, Washington 98335