In Alabama real estate practice, notarization of a deed is not a mere formality — it is a legal requirement that when defective can render the instrument unrecordable, unenforceable, or voidable. At Stanley & Associates, we encounter title defects rooted in notary errors that could have been avoided. Below are the most common — and most consequential — ways a notarization can go wrong. Placeholder or Incorrect Grantor Names A notary who fails to verify that the name on the de