You Cannot Notarize Your Own Documents
No. A notary public cannot notarize a document for themselves, sign as a notary on their own paperwork, or witness their own signature. This rule exists in every U.S. state and is written into notary law because a notary's job is to verify that someone else signed a document in front of them—not to verify their own identity or intent.
The conflict of interest is straightforward: a notary is supposed to be an impartial witness. If you notarize your own document, you become both the signer and the witness, which defeats the purpose of notarization. Courts and government agencies reject self-notarized documents because there is no independent verification that you actually signed it or that you understood what you were signing.
Even if you hold a notary commission, this rule applies to you. Your commission does not exempt you from the requirement that someone else must perform the notarization.
Key Takeaways
- Every state prohibits notaries from notarizing their own documents, regardless of their commission status.
- A notary must be a disinterested third party—someone who has no financial stake in the document and no personal relationship to its outcome.
- If you need a document notarized, you must find a different notary, either through your bank, a local notary service, or an online notary platform.
- Self-notarized documents are rejected by courts, government agencies, and financial institutions because they lack independent verification.
Why States Prohibit Self-Notarization
Notarization exists to prevent fraud. When a notary watches you sign a document and stamps it with their seal, they are certifying that you appeared before them in person, showed valid identification, and signed the document willingly. That certification only means something if the notary is someone other than you.
If you could notarize your own documents, the seal would prove nothing. You could sign a contract you never intended to sign, forge someone else's name, or claim you signed under duress—and your own notarization would be useless as evidence against you. The whole system depends on the notary being independent.
State notary laws spell this out. Most states explicitly state that a notary cannot notarize a document to which they are a party, meaning a document that affects their legal rights or financial interests. Even documents where you have no direct stake—like notarizing a family member's will—are often prohibited because of the appearance of bias.
What Counts as a Conflict of Interest
You cannot notarize a document if you are the signer, the beneficiary, or a party to the transaction. You also cannot notarize for a spouse, when ready family member, or business partner in most states, because the relationship itself creates a presumption of bias.
Some states are stricter than others. A few states prohibit notaries from notarizing any document that affects someone they know personally. Others allow notarization for distant relatives or acquaintances as long as the notary is not a party to the document itself. Check your state's notary handbook or contact your Secretary of State's office to learn the exact rules where you live.
The key principle is impartiality. If there is any reason to think the notary benefits from the document being signed or notarized, the notarization is invalid.
Where to Find a Notary for Your Documents
Banks and credit unions often notarize documents for free if you are a customer. Call ahead to confirm they offer the service and ask whether you need an appointment. Bring your valid photo ID and the unsigned document.
UPS Store locations, FedEx Office, and other shipping centers employ notaries and charge a fee per signature, usually between $5 and $15. Hours vary by location, so check online before you go.
Online notary services allow you to upload your document and meet with a notary via video call. They verify your identity using your driver's license or passport and watch you sign electronically. These services are faster than in-person visits but cost more—typically $25 to $75 per document. Some states restrict which documents can be notarized online, so confirm your state allows it for your specific paperwork.
Your county clerk's office or local courthouse may also provide notary services, sometimes for free or a small fee. Call ahead to ask about hours and whether you need an appointment.
What Happens If You Self-Notarize
A self-notarized document will be rejected by any institution that requires notarization. Banks will not accept it. Courts will not file it. Government agencies will return it unsigned. You will have wasted time and may have delayed an important important date.
If you forge a notary seal on a document you notarized yourself, you commit a crime. Falsifying a notary seal is a felony in most states and can result in jail time and fines. Even if you hold a valid notary commission, using your seal on a document you signed yourself is illegal.
If someone else asks you to notarize a document for them and you do it improperly—for example, without watching them sign or without checking their ID—you can be sued if the document causes them harm. Your notary bond, which is required in most states, may not cover the loss.
Special Situations: Affidavits and Self-Declarations
Some documents, like affidavits or sworn statements, require notarization but are about your own actions or knowledge. You still cannot notarize these yourself. You must find another notary to watch you sign the affidavit, even though the content describes your own experience.
A few states allow unnotarized affidavits in certain limited situations—for example, an affidavit filed in court under penalty of perjury. Check your state's rules and the specific court or agency requirements before assuming you can skip notarization.
If you are unsure whether a particular document can be notarized by someone you know or whether it requires a completely independent notary, contact the organization requesting the notarization. They can tell you exactly what they will accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize for their spouse or family member?
Most states prohibit this because of the family relationship, even if the notary is not a party to the document. Some states allow it only if the notary has no financial interest in the outcome. Check your state's notary handbook or call your Secretary of State's office to confirm the rule where you live.
What if I am a notary and I need my own document notarized?
You must ask another notary to do it, just like anyone else. Your commission does not exempt you from the rule against self-notarization. Find a colleague, visit a bank, or use an online notary service.
Can I notarize a document if I am not a party to it but I know the signer?
It depends on your state and how well you know them. If you are a family member or business partner, most states prohibit it. If you are a casual acquaintance, some states allow it as long as you are not affected by the document's outcome. Contact your Secretary of State's office for your state's specific rules.
What if the document says "self-notarized" or "notarized by the signer"?
That language does not make self-notarization legal. Courts and agencies will still reject it. The document must be notarized by someone other than the signer, regardless of what the document itself claims.
How much does it cost to have a document notarized by someone else?
Banks often notarize for free if you are a customer. UPS Store and FedEx Office charge $5 to $15 per signature. Online notaries charge $25 to $75 per document. Some county clerk offices offer notarization for free or a small fee. Call ahead to confirm pricing and hours.