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I had a client who was barely even able to hold a pen, but he wanted to sign the document. All he could do was make a very messy “X“ sort of near the line where the signature goes.
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<div>I did the attestation that he was known to me, he showed me his ID, and I saw him make that mark on the document, and that it was his mark and his intent to execute the document. And I signed it as the notary. It passed all scrutiny from the court, never
a problem at all.<br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature">
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Melody Claire Tucker</p>
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Attorney at Law</p>
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WSBA #42096</p>
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Melody Tucker Law</p>
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P.O. Box 2029</p>
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206-228-4980 Fax: 425-743-5921</p>
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website: MelodyTuckerLaw.com</p>
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<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 14, 2026, at 9:25 AM, Brent Williams-Ruth <brent@williams-ruthlaw.com> wrote:<br>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Great question! A mark can count - but if your situation makes it where they cannot even make a mark you need to make sure the notarization is done pursuant to RCW 64.08.100. </div>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">It is really very easy but in case you have someone that ever goes to challenge (such as a mean old bank or investment company) you will want to make sure it is 100% by the book!</div>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Brent</div>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">For reference, here is what the statute says: </div>
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<h3 style="box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:5px">Acknowledgments by persons unable to sign name.</h3>
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<div style="box-sizing:border-box;text-indent:0.5in">Any person who is otherwise competent but is physically unable to sign his or her name or make a mark may make an acknowledgment authorized under this chapter by orally directing the notary public or other
authorized officer taking the acknowledgment to sign the person's name on his or her behalf. In taking an acknowledgment under this section, the notary public or other authorized officer shall, in addition to stating his or her name and place of residence,
state that the signature in the acknowledgment was obtained under the authority of this section.</div>
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<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Brent Williams-Ruth</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> (pronouns: he/him)<br>
<i>Attorney-At-Law</i></span></p>
<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, </span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><font size="1">a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC</font></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><font color="#ff0000">Mailing Address:</font> </span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 </span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Office/Scheduling Phone:<span style="color:#004080"> </span><font color="#ff0000">(253) 285-7751</font></span></p>
<p><font color="#ff0000" face="Times New Roman, serif">For All Meetings & Scheduling:
<a href="mailto:info@williams-ruthlaw.com" target="_blank">info@williams-ruthlaw.com</a></font></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Brent@Williams-RuthLaw.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> / <a href="http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/" originalsrc="http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/" target="_blank">website</a> /</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw" originalsrc="http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> / </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
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<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 8:21 AM Ann Manley <<a href="mailto:ann@manleyfirm.com">ann@manleyfirm.com</a>> wrote:<br>
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<div>Client is able to make a mark on documents, but it is not a legible signature. Does anything special need to be done to notarize this?
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<div>Ann Manley</div>
<div><a href="mailto:ann@manleyfirm.com" target="_blank">ann@manleyfirm.com</a></div>
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