Notary Services

How To Book An Appointment

Notary service is offered by appointment only. Patrons can call the library’s main line — (319) 377-3412 — to request an appointment. Appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance to ensure notary availability, as service is limited and dependent upon staff availability.

Notary Service Guidelines

• Notary service is limited to three (3) documents per person, per visit, per day.
• A valid, government-issued photo identification is required of any patron seeking notary service.
• Notaries cannot pre-date or post-date any action, prepare a legal document, give advice on legal matters, or notarize documents in which they have a personal interest.
• MPL will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from patrons using the library. A witness must (previously) personally know the person needing notary services. This individual must also provide valid photo identification.
• Information must be clearly written. The library notary and the patron requesting notary services must be able to clearly communicate directly with each other. Notaries are not permitted to make use of a translator to communicate from the customer requesting notary services.
• Notaries will not provide service if the patron, the document or any circumstances of the request for notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for MPL.

Should a problem appear/occur, the library notary may at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide notary service.

Notary service is NOT available for:

• Government form I-9s
• Wills
• Documents of conveyance of real estate, mortgages, other real estate loans, documents or transactions or property transfers, including but not limited to refinancing or other types of real estate loans, purchases, sales, and beneficial interests in land trusts or deeds.

Notary services are also available at the following community establishments (call ahead for information):

• Banks and credit unions
• Shipping stores
• Courthouse
• Tax offices
• Real estate and insurance companies