Poor Planning on Your Part…

It usually starts with a text: “Hi! I need something notarized today.” Absolutely. Let’s see what we can do. Then comes the follow-up:

“Actually, I need it in about an hour.” Okay… And then, 45 minutes before the appointment: No payment. No confirmation. But somehow, the expectation is that the notary is standing by, stamp in hand, patiently waiting for the Bat-Signal. And I couldn’t help but wonder…

When did “I need this notarized right now” automatically become the notary’s emergency?

Sometimes, Life Happens

Let’s be clear: emergencies happen. A document suddenly needs to be submitted. Someone forgot to tell you it needed notarization. A deadline changed. A title company calls with a last-minute signing. I’ve had plenty of situations where someone genuinely needed help right now, and when I can accommodate them, I’m happy to.

That’s one of the benefits of working with an independent notary. We can sometimes move quickly. But there’s a difference between asking: “Is there any way you can help me?” and expecting: “You’ll be available because I need you.” One is a request. The other is an assumption.

Your Appointment Isn’t Confirmed Until It’s Confirmed

This is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned running DocsxBrenda: A requested appointment and a confirmed appointment are not the same thing.

For individual clients, payment secures the appointment. Until then, that time isn’t guaranteed. Why? Because while you’re deciding whether to pay the invoice, another client may be asking for that same appointment.

And when payment finally arrives 30 or 45 minutes before the requested time, what was originally a normal appointment has suddenly become a rush appointment. That changes things.

Urgency Is a Service

Rush fees sometimes get treated like a punishment. They’re not. You’re paying for priority and convenience.

A last-minute request may mean rearranging another commitment, changing travel plans, preparing documents immediately, finding a witness, or simply setting aside everything else to accommodate your deadline.

That’s a service. And services have value. The same applies to evenings, weekends, holidays, and other times outside normal availability. Can I sometimes accommodate you? Absolutely. Does that mean I’m automatically available? No.

Ask. Confirm. Then Exhale.

If you suddenly realize you need something notarized in an hour, call the notary. Ask. We may surprise you. But once an appointment is offered, confirm it.

Complete whatever intake is required. Have your identification ready. Pay the invoice when payment is required to secure the appointment.Because the faster you need the service, the less room there is for everyone to wait around.

A notary can absolutely help solve a last-minute problem. But we can’t hold an unconfirmed appointment indefinitely while simultaneously being expected to treat it like an emergency.

So yes… Call me. Text me. Tell me you need it in 45 minutes. I’ll do everything I reasonably can to help. I might even save the day.

But if you need me to drop everything, rearrange my schedule, and have my stamp ready before you can say “acknowledgment”… There may be a rush fee for the cape. 🦸‍♂️