August 26, 2024

As I embark on this transformative journey to becoming an End-of-Life (Death) Doula, I invite you to come along with me. This path is one of discovery, growth, and compassion, as I delve into the art of providing care and comfort during life’s most profound transition.

In the coming months, I’ll be sharing my experiences, insights, and the wisdom I gain as I immerse myself in this vital work. Whether you’re curious about the role of a Death Doula, interested in holistic end-of-life care, or seeking to better understand how to approach this stage of life with grace, I encourage you to join me.

Together, we can explore the realities of the dying process, embrace the significance of end-of-life support, and learn how to navigate this journey with dignity and peace.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Stay tuned for updates, reflections, and shared experiences as we walk this path together.

February 14, 2024

An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document so that it can be recognized in another country, which is a member of the Hague Convention. The apostille itself is a specific form of authentication that is recognized internationally.

The process of obtaining an apostille typically involves having a notary public or other authorized official certify the document, followed by the relevant government authority affixing the apostille to the document. This process helps to verify the authenticity of the document and the signatures on it.

The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, commonly known as the Apostille Convention, has over 120 member countries as of my last update in September 2021. Some of the countries that participate in the Hague Convention include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and many others.

Various types of documents can be apostilled, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents, powers of attorney, notarized documents, academic diplomas, and other official documents issued by public authorities.

It is important to note that not all countries are members of the Hague Convention, and for documents going to or coming from countries that are not part of the convention, different authentication procedures may be required.

Call the Notary Doula or book your appointment Today for a consultation.

*** Servicing Harris County, Fort Bend and Galveston Counties.

January 09, 2024

A notarial act refers to any authorized service performed by a notary public. Such services often involve officiating oaths and affirmations or acknowledging signatures. In the process of executing these services, a notary public applies their notarial certificate.

The certificate, issued by the notary public, authenticates the document, validates the identity of the signers, and confirms their willingness to sign the document. The notarial certificate, bearing a notary seal or stamp, stands as legal proof of the notarial act.

Notarial acts are crucial for a variety of significant documents, like those pertaining to finances, legal matters, or real estate. They serve as robust evidence that the signatories were not coerced into agreement and that they are indeed who they claim to be. Without notarization, these documents may not be deemed valid or accepted by the other involved party. When a court receives a notarized document, it acknowledges the document as legal. Occasionally, notarization takes place in front of a credible witness who also attests to the signer’s identity and signature.

September 1, 2023

In 2023 the Texas legislature authorized an increase in notary fees that Texas Notaries may charge for certain services. The standard fee was increased from $6.00 to $10.00. The new law also gives the Texas Secretary of State some authority over increasing or decreasing fees in the future.

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Texas House Bill 255 was passed on June 10, 2023 and has gone into effect on September 1, 2023.

This new notary law allows a Texas notary to record in their notary journal, the expiration date of an identification card issued by a governmental agency (including a passport issued by the United States) if the signer, grantor, or maker of an instrument or document presents the document to the notary public as identification.

Furthermore, the law raises the maximum fees a notary is allowed to charge from $6 to $10 for:

• Taking the acknowledgement or proof of a deed or other instrument in writing, for registration, including certificate and seal, for the first signature.
• Administering an oath or affirmation with certificate and seal.
• Swearing a witness to a deposition, certificate, seal, and other business connected with taking the deposition.
• A certificate under seal or notarial act not provided for.

The following maximum fees are increased from 50 cents to $1:

• The fee for each page of a copy of a record or paper in the notary public's office.
• The fee for each 100 words when taking the deposition of a witness.

Additionally, HB 255 ties notary fees to inflation by allowing the Texas Secretary of State to adjust the fees a notary can charge every five years. To do so, the secretary will apply the inflation rate, if any, to the current fees and amounts. This inflation rate will be determined by the comptroller using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor.

Finally, the new law requires notaries to affix their notary seals only on documents they notarize and forbids notaries from providing any person with a copy of their notary seals.