Who performs notary services
Notaries public are the people who perform notary services. They are commissioned by your state to witness signatures, verify identities, and stamp documents with an official seal. A notary cannot be a party to the document — they cannot notarize their own signature, a family member's signature, or a document they have a financial stake in.
Notaries are regular people with other jobs. Many work part-time as notaries while employed elsewhere. Some are full-time notaries running their own businesses. The key requirement is that they hold a current commission from their state, which typically lasts four to ten years depending on where you live.
Each state sets its own rules for who can become a notary and what they are allowed to do. A notary commissioned in one state cannot notarize documents in another state unless they also hold a commission there. If you need a document notarized, you need a notary commissioned in the state where the document will be used or filed.
Key Takeaways
- Notaries are commissioned by individual states and can only notarize documents in the state where they hold their commission.
- You can find notaries at banks, law offices, shipping stores, real estate offices, and some government buildings, or search online directories maintained by your state.
- Notary fees vary by state and by service — typically between $5 and $25 per signature, though some notaries charge more for travel or unusual requests.
- A notary must be present when you sign the document and must verify your identity using government-issued photo ID before notarizing.
- Some documents cannot be notarized at all, including wills in most states and documents where the signer is not physically present.
Where to find a notary near you
Banks are one of the easiest places to find a notary. Most banks employ at least one notary, and many offer the service free to account holders. Call ahead to confirm the notary is available and ask whether there is a fee if you are not a customer.
Law offices, real estate offices, and title companies almost always have notaries on staff. These are good options if you need the notary to understand the legal context of your document, though they may charge more than other sources.
UPS Store, FedEx Office, and other shipping and business service centers typically employ notaries. Hours are often longer than banks, and they serve the general public without requiring you to be a customer. Fees are usually $5 to $15 per signature.
Your state maintains a directory of commissioned notaries. Search your state's secretary of state website for "notary search" or "notary directory" — most states publish a searchable list online. Some states also allow you to call a hotline to find a notary in your area.
What to bring and how the process works
Bring the unsigned document and a government-issued photo ID. The notary will ask you to sign the document in front of them while they watch. They will then stamp the document with their official seal and sign it themselves, creating a record that they witnessed your signature on that specific date.
The notary will verify your identity using your ID — they are checking that you are the person whose name appears on the document. If you do not have a photo ID, some notaries will notarize based on credible witness testimony, meaning someone who knows you personally can vouch for your identity. This is less common and may cost more.
The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes. Some notaries charge per signature rather than per document, so if a document has multiple signature lines, you may pay more. Fees are set by state law or by the individual notary, depending on your state's rules.
Keep the original notarized document. The notary keeps a record in their journal, but you need the original with the notary's seal and signature for the document to be accepted by banks, courts, or government agencies.
Notary fees and what they cover
Notary fees vary widely. Some states set a maximum fee by law — often $5 to $10 per signature. Other states allow notaries to set their own fees. In those states, expect to pay $10 to $25 per signature at a business service center, and potentially more at a law office or if the notary must travel to you.
Banks often notarize for free if you have an account with them. If you do not have an account, they may charge $5 to $15 per signature or decline to serve you.
If you need a notary to come to your home or office, expect to pay a travel fee on top of the per-signature fee. This can range from $25 to $100 or more depending on distance and the notary's rates.
Ask about the fee before the notary begins work. Most notaries will quote you a price upfront. If the notary charges by the document rather than by the signature, confirm how many signatures are on your document so you know the total cost.
Documents that cannot be notarized
Wills cannot be notarized in most states. Wills require witnesses, but those witnesses must meet specific legal requirements that differ from notary requirements. A notary can witness a will, but that does not replace the legal witnessing requirement.
Documents where the signer is not physically present cannot be notarized. The notary must see you sign the document in front of them. Remote notarization is available in some states, but it uses video conferencing with specific security requirements — it is not the same as mailing a document to a notary.
Blank documents cannot be notarized. The notary must see the completed document and understand what they are notarizing. If you ask a notary to stamp a blank page or a document with blanks you plan to fill in later, they will refuse.
Documents in languages the notary does not understand may be refused. The notary needs to understand what the document says in order to notarize it responsibly. Some notaries specialize in specific languages, but you cannot assume a notary speaks your language.
Notary commissions and how they work
A notary commission is a certificate issued by your state that authorizes a person to perform notary duties. The commission lasts a set number of years — typically four, five, or ten years depending on your state. When the commission expires, the notary must renew it or stop performing notary services.
Each state's secretary of state office issues commissions and maintains a record of active notaries. You can verify that a notary is currently commissioned by searching your state's notary directory. If a notary's commission has expired, their notarizations are no longer valid.
A notary's commission is tied to one state only. If a notary moves to another state, they must explore for a new commission in that state. Their old commission does not transfer.
Remote and mobile notary services
Some notaries offer mobile services, meaning they come to your home or office. This is useful if you cannot travel or need multiple documents notarized. Mobile notaries charge a travel fee in addition to the per-signature fee, typically $25 to $100 depending on distance.
Remote notary services use video conferencing to notarize documents. Not all states allow remote notarization, and the rules vary significantly where it is permitted. Some states require the notary and signer to use specific technology platforms, and some require the document to be mailed to the notary afterward for the seal to be applied. Check your state's rules before pursuing remote notarization.
Remote notarization is faster than waiting for a mobile notary to arrive, but it is not available everywhere and may cost more than in-person notarization. Call ahead to confirm that remote notarization is available in your state and that the notary you contact offers it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize a document they did not write?
Yes. A notary does not need to understand or approve the content of a document to notarize it. They only verify that you signed it in front of them and that you are who you say you are. The notary's job is to witness the signature, not to review the document's legal validity.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
Some notaries will notarize based on credible witness testimony — a person who knows you can vouch for your identity in front of the notary. This is less common and may cost more. Call ahead to ask if the notary will accept this method before you arrive.
How long does a notarized document stay valid?
A notarized document does not expire. The notary's seal and signature prove that the document was signed on a specific date in front of a commissioned notary. However, the organization you submit it to may have its own rules about how old a notarized document can be — some banks or government agencies require notarization within 30 or 90 days of submission.
Can I notarize a document I wrote but someone else signed?
No. The notary must witness the person whose signature appears on the document. You cannot sign on someone else's behalf for notarization purposes. If someone else needs to sign, they must be present when the notary notarizes.
Do I need to make an appointment with a notary?
It depends on the notary. Banks and shipping stores often serve walk-ins, but calling ahead ensures the notary is available. Mobile notaries and law offices typically require appointments. Always call first to confirm hours and availability.