Common Questions About Notarization

A notary public is a state-commissioned official authorized to perform notarial acts like witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and certifying documents. Notaries verify the identity of signers and confirm they sign voluntarily and knowingly.

Notaries witness the signing of important documents, verify signer identity through government-issued ID, confirm signers understand what they're signing, administer oaths and affirmations, and apply their official seal to documents. They create an official record of the notarization.

Notary fees vary by state and type of document. Most states allow notaries to charge $2-$25 per notarial act. Some notaries charge a flat fee, others charge by the hour. Remote online notarization may have different fee structures. Check with your local notary for specific pricing.

No. A notary cannot notarize documents for themselves or immediate family members in most states. This protects against fraud and conflicts of interest. You'll need to use a different notary.

Most documents can be notarized, including powers of attorney, affidavits, property deeds, mortgage documents, consents forms, and travel documents. However, some documents (like court filings or certain financial instruments) may have special requirements. Notaries cannot notarize documents that are incomplete or appear altered.

A typical notarization takes 5-15 minutes. The notary will verify your identity, confirm you understand the document, ensure you sign voluntarily, and apply their seal. Online notarizations may take slightly longer due to identity verification requirements.

It depends. Many notaries take walk-in customers, but appointments guarantee availability and faster service. Remote online notaries typically require scheduling an appointment in advance.

You'll need a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must be current and show your signature and photo.