Question 1

What is the difference between graphic design and desktop publishing?

Accepted Answer

Graphic design is the creative work of deciding how something looks — the concept, imagery, color, and typography that carry a message. Desktop publishing is the production work of laying that content out accurately and consistently across pages so it prints and reads correctly. Most projects use both.

Question 2

Can you work with files I already have?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Share what exists — text, images, or an earlier version — and we will tell you what else is needed for the format you want.

Question 3

Do you provide print-ready files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Files are prepared to the specifications of the printer or platform you plan to use.

Question 4

Can the notary tell me which notarial certificate to choose?

Accepted Answer

No. Under Texas Secretary of State guidance, a notary who is not an attorney can only complete the notarial certificate that is already on your document; choosing a certificate is considered practicing law. If your document has no certificate, the notary may let you choose from the Secretary of State's sample certificates. If you aren't sure which one you need, ask the party that requested the document or an attorney.

Question 5

What identification should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Texas Secretary of State guidance says a signer typically must either personally know the notary or present a current, non-expired identification card or passport issued by the U.S. government or a U.S. state. Please bring that ID for every person signing. If the party that requested your document has its own identification requirements, follow those as well.

Question 6

What if I do not have acceptable identification?

Accepted Answer

Texas allows a credible witness to act as identification for a signer who does not have a valid identification card or passport. An expired ID is not a current ID under this guidance. Let LCM know before your appointment if you don't have acceptable ID so the options can be discussed in advance; whether a notarization can go forward is decided at the appointment.

Question 7

What is a credible witness?

Accepted Answer

According to the Texas Secretary of State, a credible witness is someone who has no monetary or personal benefit in the document and who identifies a signer who has no valid identification card or passport. The credible witness accompanies the signer as their identification. A credible witness is different from any witness your document itself may require.

Question 8

How much does notarization cost?

Accepted Answer

Texas Government Code §406.024 sets the maximum fee a notary may charge for each official act, and a lower fee or no fee may be charged. LCM mobile, convenience and related service charges are separate from those Texas fees. Your quote itemizes both before your appointment is confirmed, and the current schedule is on our Notary Fees & Appointment Policies page.

Question 9

When is my appointment confirmed?

Accepted Answer

Submitting a request, calling or texting does not confirm an appointment. LCM reviews each request and sends you a quote. Your appointment is secured once you accept the quote and LCM's policies and any required booking payment has been received. You can follow the status on your secure appointment page.

Question 10

What is a notarial certificate?

Accepted Answer

A notarial certificate is the written statement at the end of, or attached to, a notarized document. According to the Texas Secretary of State, it states the type of notarization, the location, the date and who the signers are, and it includes the notary's signature and seal. Different transactions use different certificates.

Question 11

What is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?

Accepted Answer

An acknowledgment is used when the signer appears before the Notary and confirms that they signed the document willingly. The document may already have been signed before the appointment.

A jurat is used when the signer must swear or affirm that the statements in the document are true. For a jurat, the oath or affirmation is administered and the document is signed in the Notary's presence.

The Notary may explain these general differences but cannot choose the notarial certificate for you. If your document does not specify the required notarial act, you should ask the document's issuing or receiving party or an attorney.

Question 12

Does the document need to be completed before the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please have your document available and sufficiently complete for notarization. Wait to sign until the notary tells you to, because some notarial acts require signing in the notary's presence. The notary cannot fill in or prepare the legal content of your document.

Question 13

What should I bring to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Bring the document to be notarized, acceptable identification for every signer, and any witnesses your document requires (unless LCM has agreed to coordinate them). Know which document you need notarized and get legal advice beforehand if you need it.

Question 14

Can LCM provide legal advice?

Accepted Answer

No. The notary is not an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas and may not give legal advice, prepare legal documents, explain the legal consequences of a document, choose a notarial act for you, or tell you whether to sign. Please consult an attorney for legal questions.

Question 15

What are LCM mobile and convenience charges?

Accepted Answer

They are separately disclosed LCM services and expenses, such as mobile travel, after-hours or rush timing, waiting time, printing, scan-backs, witnesses or meeting space. They are not Texas notarial fees. Not every charge applies to every appointment, and the amounts that apply are shown on your quote. See the full list on our Notary Fees & Appointment Policies page.

Question 16

Is there a booking payment?

Accepted Answer

Mobile and general appointments normally require a booking payment that is credited toward your final balance. It is not an additional Texas notarial fee. Remote online notarization and other services may have different payment rules, and loan or signing-company assignments may be paid by the contracting company. Your quote shows what is due to book.

Question 17

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

If you cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment, the applicable booking deposit is refunded. With less than 24 hours' notice, or if no one is present for the appointment, the deposit may be retained. If LCM cancels, or a technology failure on LCM's side prevents the appointment, you are not penalized. LCM may waive or adjust these terms when circumstances warrant.

Question 18

Can I reschedule?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your first reschedule with at least 24 hours' notice transfers your existing deposit. A second reschedule requires a new booking deposit. Changes inside 24 hours fall under the late-change and cancellation policy unless LCM waives it. You can request a new time from your secure appointment page.

Question 19

What happens if I am late?

Accepted Answer

LCM makes reasonable efforts to accommodate late arrivals, but the appointment cannot be extended indefinitely. After the grace period shown on our fees page, waiting time may be charged as a disclosed LCM service charge.

Question 20

Are witnesses required?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the document. The client or the party providing the document is responsible for determining whether witnesses are required; LCM cannot determine legal witness requirements. Check with the party requesting the document or an attorney.

Question 21

Can LCM provide a witness?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. If LCM agrees to coordinate a witness, availability is not guaranteed and a separately disclosed service charge may apply. Ask when you request your appointment.

Question 22

What is Remote Online Notarization?

Accepted Answer

Texas defines online notarization as a notarial act performed by an online notary using two-way audio and video technology that meets the Secretary of State's standards, including credential analysis and identity proofing. LCM offers RON through an approved platform where it is available and appropriate. Each signer needs a device with a camera, microphone and reliable internet connection.

Question 23

Is electronic notarization the same as Remote Online Notarization?

Accepted Answer

No. According to the Texas Secretary of State, an electronic notarization must meet all the requirements of a traditional notarization, including that the signer personally appears before the notary. Electronic notarizations are not online notarizations and cannot be performed by video or audio conference.

Question 24

Can every document be notarized online?

Accepted Answer

No. Not every document or signer can use remote online notarization. Eligibility can depend on the document, the signer and the party that will receive it, so please confirm with the party requesting your document before booking a RON session.

Question 25

What happens if identity verification fails during RON?

Accepted Answer

Online notarization requires third-party credential analysis and identity proofing. If verification fails, or a document turns out to be ineligible, the appointment may need to be rescheduled, moved to another service method, refunded or credited, or reviewed by LCM. If a platform or equipment problem on LCM's side causes the failure, you are not penalized.

Question 26

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Online payments are processed securely through Stripe from your secure appointment page, and LCM does not store card numbers. Each payment is credited to its appointment, remaining balances can be paid online where available, and receipts and payment history appear on your appointment page.

Question 27

Can someone else pay for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A separate payer receives only the payment information they need. The signer remains responsible for appointment and service decisions, and paying a balance is not approval of additional services. The signer's private information is not shared with the payer simply because they are paying.

Question 28

What happens if services are added after my original quote?

Accepted Answer

LCM discloses the added amount, and the signer reviews and approves the added services before they become payable. A separate payer cannot approve them on the signer's behalf. A saved card or earlier payment never authorizes LCM to charge a later, unknown amount.

Question 29

What can a Notary Signing Agent explain during a loan signing?

Accepted Answer

During a loan signing, LCM acts as a Notary Signing Agent. LCM may identify each document, point out where to sign, initial and date, and give a general description of a document's purpose based on the document or the contracting party's instructions. LCM cannot explain or give opinions on loan terms, rates, payments, closing costs, escrow, legal effect, or whether you should sign.

Question 30

Who should I contact if I have questions about my loan terms?

Accepted Answer

Contact your lender, loan officer, title company, escrow or closing agent, or an attorney. LCM is not your lender, loan officer, attorney, title agent, escrow officer or financial advisor. The signing may be paused while you contact the right party.

Question 31

Where does LCM provide mobile notary service?

Accepted Answer

LCM Notarial Services is based in Plano and serves surrounding Dallas–Fort Worth areas by appointment. Other Texas locations may be available by special arrangement. Travel-related service charges, when applicable, are disclosed in the approved quote.

Question 32

Are these policies final?

Accepted Answer

LCM may update its policies as services, processes, legal requirements or business practices change. When an appointment requires policy acceptance, the applicable policy version accepted for that appointment is recorded with the appointment.

Question 33

Can a single policy be linked from a contract or invoice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every policy has its own address, so it can be linked directly from a proposal, questionnaire, contract, invoice, or service page.

Question 34

Where do notary requirements and fees appear?

Accepted Answer

Notary requirements, Texas statutory fee information and LCM appointment/service policies are available on the Notary Fees & Appointment Policies page. Your specific appointment quote separately identifies applicable Texas Notarial Fees and LCM Mobile, Convenience & Related Services, and the approved quote controls the amount for your appointment.

Question 35

How long does the publishing process take?

Accepted Answer

Publishing timelines vary based on manuscript readiness, the services requested, editing and design needs, revision rounds, project complexity and client response time. After reviewing the project, LCM can provide a more realistic schedule and milestones for that specific work.

Question 36

How much does publishing with LCM cost?

Accepted Answer

Publishing costs depend on the services selected and the scope of the project, such as editing, formatting, cover/interior design, production needs and other requested support. LCM reviews the project first and provides applicable pricing or a proposal before paid work begins.

Question 37

Does LCM publish through Amazon KDP or IngramSpark?

Accepted Answer

LCM prepares files that meet the submission requirements of platforms such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Those platforms are independent services; LCM does not own, operate, or control them.

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