Meet Chester Hood
Minister. Elder. Notary Public. Justice of the Peace. And someone who genuinely cares about the people he serves.
Chester Hood
Notary Public · Justice of the Peace · Ordained Elder · Counselor
Some professionals offer a service. Chester Hood offers something more: a steady hand, a prepared mind, and a heart that has spent more than two decades showing up for people in their most important moments.
Chester's journey of service began in 2005, when he was licensed to preach — a calling that would set the foundation for everything that followed. It wasn't just a credential; it was a commitment to people. To show up with wisdom, with care, and with the kind of presence that makes others feel seen and supported. In 2009, he was ordained as an Elder — a recognition not only of his spiritual growth, but of the trust placed in him by his community to lead, counsel, and serve at a higher level.
That trust has never been taken lightly. And it never will be.
Built to Help Families Thrive
Since 2010, Chester has guided couples through one of the most important seasons of their lives — the preparation for marriage. His premarital counseling is not a checklist or a formality. It is a real, honest, and thoughtful process designed to help two people understand each other more deeply before they make their most significant commitment.
That work led him to pursue formal academic training at Southern Illinois University, where he completed a full curriculum in their Family and Marriage program — studying the philosophy, psychology, and evidence-based methods that professionals use to help couples and families navigate life together.
"I completed that program because I wanted to understand the right way to help people — not because I planned to make counseling my career. I wanted the knowledge, the framework, and the discipline. If I'm going to sit across from a family in a difficult moment, I owe it to them to know what I'm doing."
— Chester Hood, Founder
Chester chose not to sit for his state counseling license — not because he lacked the preparation, but because his path was always pastoral and personal rather than clinical. His counseling support is grounded in genuine care, academic knowledge, and over a decade of real-world experience walking alongside couples and families — and it is always offered as a complement to, never a substitute for, licensed clinical care when that deeper level of support is needed.
Where Official Authority Meets Personal Service
Authority Signature was born from a simple observation: people need more than a notary. They need someone they can trust. Someone who understands that a power of attorney document may be signed on one of the hardest days of a family's life. That a wedding ceremony is more than a legal transaction. That a baby dedication is a sacred moment deserving real reverence.
As a commissioned Notary Public and Justice of the Peace in Tennessee, Chester brings the full weight of his legal authority to every signing and every ceremony — and he brings the full depth of his character right alongside it.
The Authority Signature Promise
Whether Chester is placing his seal on a critical legal document, standing at the front of your wedding ceremony, or sitting with your family in a counseling session — you will always receive his complete preparation, his undivided attention, and his genuine investment in your outcome. That is not a marketing statement. That is who Chester Hood is.
Credentials & Background
A Philosophy Built on People, Not Paperwork
Faith-Formed Character
Twenty years of ministry shaped how Chester listens, how he leads, and how he treats every person who walks through the door. Faith isn't a label here — it's the foundation everything else is built on.
Academically Grounded
Chester didn't pursue the SIU Family and Marriage curriculum for a license. He pursued it because he believes the people he serves deserve someone who actually studied the proper philosophy and steps to help them well.
Pastorally Led
Whether notarizing a document or officiating a wedding, Chester brings a pastoral presence — unhurried, dignified, and genuinely focused on the human being in front of him.
Legally Sound
As both a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace, Chester operates with full legal authority and strict adherence to Tennessee state requirements — so every signature and every ceremony is done right.
Completely Confidential
What you share in a counseling session, what documents you bring to a notary appointment, what you discuss about your ceremony — stays between you and Chester. Full stop.
Genuinely Invested
Chester's clients are not transactions. They are people with real stakes, real emotions, and real needs. He remembers that in every interaction — and it shows in the quality of every service he provides.
Clear About What Counseling Support Looks Like Here
Chester's counseling and relationship coaching is rooted in over 15 years of pastoral experience and formal academic preparation at Southern Illinois University — and he is always transparent about the nature of that support.
His work is pastoral and coaching in nature — not clinical therapy. It is focused on communication, understanding, shared values, and practical tools for growth. For individuals or families navigating clinical mental health conditions, trauma, or crisis situations, Chester will always recommend and support connecting with a licensed clinical professional.
What Chester's counseling is best for: Couples preparing for marriage · Newlyweds building communication skills · Families working through tension and growth · Individuals seeking clarity and direction in their relationships · Anyone who wants a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and trustworthy person in their corner.