Page Summary
- Karen McCormick, a neutral Tennessee notary public, notarizes custody and visitation paperwork such as agreed divorce documents, family-court affidavits, travel consent letters and caregiver authorizations.
- A notary verifies identity and willingness and administers oaths; she cannot draft custody terms or give legal advice, so bring the final version from your attorney, mediator or the court.
- Parents who cannot meet together can usually sign separately, each in front of a notary, when each signature has its own certificate.
- Karen travels to homes, workplaces or another agreed location across Hamilton County; call (423) 401-8316 or use the contact form to book.
What a notary does with custody and visitation paperwork
Custody papers are among the most emotional documents a family signs. The notary’s role is narrow but important: confirm each parent’s identity, make sure each person is signing willingly, administer an oath where a sworn statement is required, and complete the certificate correctly so the clerk does not bounce it back. Karen is a neutral party. She does not take sides, draft terms or give legal advice, and she will not notarize a signature from someone who appears pressured.
Documents families commonly have notarized
- Agreed divorce paperwork with children. Tennessee’s self-help packet for an agreed divorce with children asks both spouses to sign the divorce agreement in front of a notary. Parenting plan forms themselves come from the Tennessee courts parenting plan forms page.
- Affidavits for family court – sworn statements about residence, income or circumstances. These use a jurat and an oath; see the affidavit service page.
- Travel consent letters when a child travels with one parent or another adult. The guide to a notarized travel consent letter for a minor explains what to include.
- Caregiver or temporary authorization letters letting a grandparent or relative handle school or routine matters while a parent is away.
- Powers of attorney naming someone to act for a parent during deployment, hospitalization or travel; more on the power of attorney page.
When parents cannot sign together
Tension, work schedules and distance often make a joint appointment unrealistic. Where each signature has its own notary block, each parent can meet a notary separately, even on different days. If one parent lives out of state, they can use a notary where they live; the article on notarizing one document in two states explains how that usually works.
A short checklist before the appointment
- Bring the complete, final version from your attorney, mediator or the court, not a draft.
- Leave signature lines blank until Karen is present.
- Each signer brings a current government-issued photo ID.
- If the form needs witnesses in addition to the notary, arrange them; notaries generally cannot supply them.
- Keep children occupied elsewhere if possible so signers can concentrate.
Keeping the signing calm and fair
Because Karen is not connected to either side, her job is simply to see that each signer understands they are signing and is doing so freely. That is why she will usually speak to each signer directly, ask them to confirm the document is the version they intend to sign, and step back if a discussion about the terms starts. If parents begin renegotiating at the table, the kindest thing is usually to pause, take the changes back to the attorney or mediator, and reschedule once the final version is ready.
After the notarization
A notary does not file anything with the court. Once the paperwork is signed and notarized, it goes back to you, your attorney or the court clerk, depending on who is handling the case. Keep a copy of everything you sign. If the court has given you a deadline, build in time for everyone to reach a notary; separate appointments can take longer to arrange than people expect.
Areas served
Karen meets parents at home, at work or at a neutral agreed location in Hamilton County and nearby Tennessee communities, including:
Frequently asked questions
Can a notary help us decide on custody or visitation terms?
No. A notary cannot recommend terms, explain your rights or tell you which court form to file. Karen can notarize signatures on documents you and your attorney, mediator or the court have already prepared.
Do both parents need to be at the same appointment?
Not always. If each signature has its own notary certificate, each parent can sign separately in front of a notary. Some families prefer this. Check the form or ask the court clerk if you are unsure.
Does a notarized agreement between parents make it a court order?
Generally no. Notarization confirms who signed. Custody and visitation arrangements are typically enforceable as orders only once a judge approves them. Ask an attorney or the court about your situation.
Can the other parent’s new spouse or a relative be the notary?
It is wise to use an impartial notary with no personal interest in the case. That avoids any later argument that the signing was pressured or improper.
Ready to get your documents signed? Call Karen at (423) 401-8316 or request an appointment online and share what you need notarized, how many signers there are, and where you would like to meet.
