How Students at UMW Use Notary Services

A quick guide for Eagles who need paperwork notarized.

Between classes, internships, housing, and travel plans, University of Mary Washington students can run into an unexpected paperwork deadline. If a form asks for notarization, a little preparation can save a second trip.

Two terms you may see on your form

Acknowledgment: you confirm that the signature is yours and that you signed voluntarily. Jurat: you sign before the notary and promise, by an oath or affirmation, that your statement is true. An affirmation is a nonreligious promise with the same legal effect. Ask the recipient to specify the act needed; the notary does not choose your legal requirements. See Virginia’s definitions and Virginia Notary Handbook (October 2026).

Internships and employment: check the actual request

An employer may request a notarized affidavit or other supporting statement. A background check itself is not automatically something a notary certifies. Ask the employer exactly which document and signature need a notarial act.

Form I-9 is different: it does not require notarization. An employer may designate an authorized representative to complete its verification process. A notary serving in that separate role does not stamp the I-9 or act as a notary. Confirm the employer’s instructions and the provider’s availability first.

Study abroad and travel

A travel program or overseas recipient may request a notarized consent form, financial statement, or signature on supporting paperwork. Requirements vary by destination and program; notarization alone may not meet a foreign recipient’s authentication requirements.

Example: if a parent’s signature must be notarized on a consent form, the parent must attend the appointment. The student cannot bring in a parent’s signed form and have that signature notarized on the parent’s behalf.

Housing, scholarships, and campus paperwork

A landlord, scholarship organization, or administrative office may request a sworn residency statement or another notarized form. Ordinary leases, transcript requests, and student-club documents do not all require notarization. Follow the specific instructions instead of adding a stamp “just in case.” For an official transcript, use UMW’s Registrar.

Your student appointment checklist

• Bring the complete form and the requesting organization’s instructions.
• Bring acceptable identification, such as an unexpired state-issued driver’s license or passport. A student ID alone is not one of Virginia’s listed identity documents.
• Make sure every person whose signature needs notarization can appear.
• Ask about witnesses, signing instructions, fees, and your deadline before booking. For a jurat, wait to sign in the notary’s presence and take the required oath or affirmation.

A local option for the UMW community

FXBG Notary welcomes student appointment requests in Fredericksburg. Tell us what the form requests and when it is due so we can confirm arrangements.

Request an appointment with FXBG Notary.

Quick answers for students

Can I use only my UMW ID?

A campus ID alone is not on Virginia’s listed identification documents. Bring a qualifying unexpired government ID with your photograph and signature, and ask ahead if you have an ID problem.

Can the notary certify my transcript?

For an official transcript, use UMW’s Registrar transcript service. A notary stamp is not a substitute for the university’s official record.

Does FXBG Notary work for UMW?

FXBG Notary is an independent local service. This guide does not imply university affiliation or endorsement.

Have a student paperwork deadline?

Request an appointment with FXBG Notary in Fredericksburg, Stafford, or Spotsylvania. Tell us your document type, number of signers, preferred location, and deadline. We’ll confirm availability, ID and witness arrangements, and the quoted cost before your visit.

Request your notary appointment

Prefer to call? (276) 781-4131 · View services

Share appointment basics only. Do not send Social Security numbers, full ID numbers, military ID scans, or sensitive documents through the inquiry form. Mobile visits depend on availability and agreed travel arrangements.

Sources and further reading

• Virginia identity and appearance rules
• Virginia Notary Handbook (October 2026)
• USCIS: completing Form I-9 Section 2

Reviewed October 9, 2026. Requirements can change; use the linked official sources and your recipient’s current instructions.

General information, not legal advice. Follow the document recipient’s instructions and consult an appropriate legal professional about legal effect.