No, a notary cannot notarize their own documents in any U.S. state
Every state's notary laws prohibit a notary from notarizing documents they are personally involved in or have a financial interest in. This rule exists to prevent fraud and may support that a neutral third party witnesses the signing. If you are a notary and need a document notarized, you must find a different notary to perform the work.
The restriction applies even if you are notarizing for a family member, business partner, or anyone else you have a relationship with. Some states have narrow exceptions for certain documents, but self-notarization is never permitted under any circumstance.
Key Takeaways
- All 50 states prohibit notaries from notarizing their own documents, signatures, or any document where they have a personal or financial stake.
- A notary cannot notarize for a spouse, business partner, or family member in most states, even if they claim to be impartial.
- Violating this rule can result in loss of your notary commission, fines, and potential criminal charges depending on your state.
- If you need a document notarized, contact a different notary public or visit a bank, courthouse, or notary service office.
Why states have this rule
The notary's job is to verify that the person signing a document is who they claim to be and that they are signing willingly. A notary cannot do this objectively if they are the one signing or if they benefit from the document's contents. For example, a notary cannot notarize a power of attorney that gives them authority over someone else's finances, or a deed transferring property to themselves.
This rule protects the public from fraud and forgery. If notaries could notarize their own documents, the notary seal would lose its meaning—it would no longer prove that an independent witness verified the signing. Courts and government agencies rely on the notary seal to confirm that documents are legitimate, so the rule is essential to the entire system.
What happens if a notary notarizes their own document
If a notary notarizes their own document, the notarization is invalid. Any court, government agency, or business that receives the document will reject it because the seal carries no legal weight. The document may still be signed, but it has no more authority than an unsigned copy.
Beyond the invalid notarization, the notary faces serious consequences. Most states allow the notary commission to be revoked, meaning the person loses their right to perform notarizations. Many states also impose fines ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. In cases where the self-notarization was used to commit fraud—such as forging a signature or falsifying a document—criminal charges are possible, including felony charges in some states.
States with rare exceptions
A small number of states have carved out narrow exceptions to the self-notarization rule, but these are limited and specific. For example, some states allow a notary to notarize a document that they are signing as a witness to someone else's signature, as long as the notary is not the principal party to the transaction. However, even in these states, a notary cannot notarize a document where they have a financial interest or personal stake in the outcome.
Before assuming an exception applies to your situation, check your state's notary handbook or contact your state's notary regulating body. The rules vary significantly, and misunderstanding them can result in an invalid notarization or disciplinary action.
How to get your document notarized if you are a notary
If you hold a notary commission and need a document notarized, the simplest option is to ask another notary public to do it. Many banks offer notary services to customers at no charge. Credit unions, law offices, and title companies also provide notarizations. If you need the service quickly, search online for "notary public near me" to find local options with evening or weekend hours.
Some employers have notaries on staff. If you work for a large company, hospital, or government agency, check with human resources or administration. Shipping stores like UPS and FedEx often have notaries available. Courthouses typically have notaries available during business hours, though fees and wait times vary by location.
If you are notarizing a document for your business or organization, make sure the other notary has no connection to the transaction. A notary who works for the same company or has a financial interest in the deal is also prohibited from notarizing, so you may need to go outside your organization.
Notarizing documents for family and close relationships
Many notaries assume they can notarize for a spouse, adult child, or close friend as long as they are honest about it. This is not correct. Most states explicitly prohibit notarizing for anyone you have a personal or family relationship with, regardless of whether you believe you can be impartial. The rule exists because relationships create the appearance of bias, even if bias does not actually exist.
A few states allow notarization for family members only if the notary has no financial interest in the document and the document does not involve a transaction between the notary and the family member. Even in these states, it is safer to use a different notary. The risk of the notarization being challenged or rejected is not worth the convenience of using someone you know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize a document they witnessed being signed?
No. Even if you watched someone sign a document, you cannot notarize it if you are a party to the transaction or have a financial interest in it. You can only notarize if you are acting as a neutral witness with no stake in the outcome. In most cases, this means finding a different notary.
What if I am a notary and I sign a document as a witness, not as a party?
In some states, a notary may notarize a document they signed as a witness, as long as they are not the principal party and have no financial interest. However, this is a gray area that varies by state. Contact your state's notary regulating body before doing this, as the rules are not uniform.
Can a notary notarize a document for their employer?
A notary can notarize documents for their employer only if the notary has no personal or financial stake in the transaction. For example, a notary who works in a law office can notarize a document for the firm's client, but not for a transaction involving the notary themselves or a case the notary is working on. When in doubt, use a different notary.
What should I do if a notary notarized my document but I later found out they had a conflict of interest?
The notarization is likely invalid. Contact the organization or agency that requires the notarization and explain the situation. You will probably need to have the document notarized again by a different notary. If you believe the notary acted intentionally or fraudulently, you can file a complaint with your state's notary regulating body.
Are there any documents that notaries are always allowed to self-notarize?
No. Self-notarization is prohibited in all 50 states for all types of documents. There are no exceptions that allow a notary to notarize their own signature or any document they have a stake in.