How to Notarize a Document

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 324,132 times.

A notary public is a person trained and authorized by the state to certify documents. It is necessary to notarize certain legal documents in order for them to be valid. A notary public must witness a person signing a document and verify his or her identity to notarize a document. Notaries public will sign and stamp your document with a seal. They may also fill out a notarial journal and provide you with a notarial certificate for your document. Getting a document notarized is a simple process once you have located a notary public to provide this legal service.

Preparing Your Document

• Fill in all blank spaces such as the locations of properties bought or sold, the names of the parties to an agreement, etc.
• Don't sign contracts or binding documents that you have not thoroughly read.

• Once a document is notarized, you cannot change it, so it must be correct before you notarize.
• A lawyer can read the document and point out any errors or loopholes you should correct.
• You can get an attorney review at any time, but the document will need notarization again if changes are necessary. Getting a review first can save time and money later.
• Even if you do not hire an attorney to look over the document, make sure that the document meets all the legal requirements.

Print a copy of the document you need to have notarized. The person signing the document must provide it for notarization. The notary public will not provide legal documents. Their only job is to act as a means to validate the authenticity of the document. They are unlikely to make a copy of your document.

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• If you are the only person who must sign the document, then you don't need to contact other parties.
• Ask the other parties to examine the document closely.

• A notary will not be able to notarize your document if this space is not included. [2] X Research source
• If your document is not signed and sealed, it will not be considered official.

Finding a Notary

• There are also websites dedicated to listing notaries public that you can search on. [3] X Research source
• Notary associations may also be able to refer you to a notary public in your area.

• Finding notaries during regular business hours is quite simple. Most banks do not charge fees for this service if you are a bank customer.
• Even if you do not have a bank account or are not near your normal bank, you can use a notary service at a bank for a small fee.

• Some may charge a fee for this purpose.
• A typical fee is around $10. [5] X Research source

• Oftentimes, the clerk of court oversees notary services that can assist you with any documents that you plan to file in that court. [6] X Research source [7] X Research source
• The court may charge a fee for this service.

• Additionally, many real estate offices employ an in-house notary who can witness your document. [8] X Research source
• Law offices may also be able to review your documents for you.

• If you choose this option, be sure to ask about additional charges. Some mobile notaries may add a travel or convenience charge on to the normal fee. [10] X Research source
• You can find a mobile notary online using the same websites used to find any other notary. [11] X Research source

Getting the Document Notarized

• Once you have located a notary, you may want to make an appointment before going in. This is to make sure that the notary has time to answer any questions. An appointment is not usually required, though.
• In some cases, your signature may be the only one that must be notarized. In other cases, such as the sale of personal property, you may need to have the buyer and seller present.

• A notary public must be able to verify your identity in order to notarize a document you are signing. [12] X Research source

Show up at the agreed-upon location. Wait for any other signers of the document to arrive. A notary may not proceed with notarizing your document until all parties are present. Make sure you're on time.

• Only after you have signed and the notary has verified your identity, will she sign and date the document and apply her seal.
• After all parties have signed the document, the document will be legally binding.

Sign the notary's journal if required. Some states require that a notary public keep a journal of all the documents they have notarized. Ask the notary if this is the case. Notaries will maintain and provide to you their own journal. [14] X Research source www.notary.org/PDFs/How-to-Notarize-a-Document.pdf

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1. ↑http://www.sos.ne.gov/business/notary/acknowledgement.html
2. ↑http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/npractices.html
3. ↑http://www.notaryrotary.com/
4. ↑https://www.masslegalhelp.org/children-families-divorce/probate-and-family-court/what-if-i-need-get-something-notarized
5. ↑http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/electronic-notarization-faq.aspx
6. ↑https://www.gsccca.org/notary-and-apostilles/notaries/georgia-notary-law
7. ↑http://chautauqua.ny.us/168/County-Clerk
8. ↑https://www.masslegalhelp.org/children-families-divorce/probate-and-family-court/what-if-i-need-get-something-notarized
9. ↑http://www.notaryrotary.com/agent/find_a_notary.asp

1. ↑http://www.notaryrotary.com/agent/find_a_notary.asp
2. ↑http://www.notaryrotary.com/
3. ↑http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/npractices.html
4. ↑https://www.asnnotary.org/?form=basicduties
5. ↑ www.notary.org/PDFs/How-to-Notarize-a-Document.pdf

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 324,132 times.

To notarize your document, start by filling out all the blanks, except for the signatures. Once you’ve filled it in, make copies of the document for everyone who needs to sign it so they can read through it in advance. If you don’t already have a notary, search online to find one in your area. Alternatively, enquire at your bank branch, town hall, or local courthouse, many of which offer notary signing for a small fee. Once you’ve found a notary, arrange a time and place for everyone to meet. Make sure everyone knows to bring their state-issued ID, which a notary is required to verify. When you meet up, have all necessary parties sign the document. Then, have the notary sign and stamp the document themselves to make it legally binding. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to hire a mobile notary, read on!

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