The correct spelling is "notarized"

Notarized is spelled N-O-T-A-R-I-Z-E-D. It is the past tense of the verb "notarize," meaning a notary public has officially witnessed and certified a document. The word uses a Z, not an S — this is the American English standard spelling.

The confusion often comes from British English, which spells it "notarised" with an S. If you are writing for a U.S. audience, government agency, or court, use the Z spelling. Most American legal documents, court filings, and official forms expect "notarized" with a Z.

The root word is "notary," which comes from the Latin "notarius" (a clerk or scribe). When you add the suffix "-ize" to turn it into a verb, you get "notarize." The past tense adds "-ed," giving you "notarized."

Key Takeaways

  • The correct American spelling is "notarized" with a Z at the end, not an S.
  • British English uses "notarised" with an S, but U.S. legal documents require the Z spelling.
  • The word breaks down as notary + -ize + -ed, following standard English verb conjugation rules.
  • If you are unsure which spelling a specific form or agency wants, check their instructions or examples before submitting.
  • Common misspellings include "notarised," "notarized" spelled with double letters, and "notorized" (which changes the root word).

Related notary words and how to spell them

Once you know "notarized," the other forms follow the same pattern. Notarize (present tense, base form) is spelled N-O-T-A-R-I-Z-E. Notarizing (present participle, the -ing form) is N-O-T-A-R-I-Z-I-N-G — you keep the E before adding -ing, which is standard for verbs ending in -ize.

Notary (the noun for the person) is N-O-T-A-R-Y. Notarial (the adjective meaning "relating to a notary") is N-O-T-A-R-I-A-L. Notarization (the noun for the act or result) is N-O-T-A-R-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N.

A helpful memory trick: think of "notary" as the root, then add standard verb endings. Notary + -ize = notarize. Notarize + -ed = notarized. Notarize + -ing = notarizing. This same pattern works for hundreds of English verbs.

Common spelling mistakes to avoid

The most frequent error is using an S instead of a Z: "notarised." This is correct in British English but wrong for American documents. If you are filling out a U.S. form or submitting to a U.S. court, always use the Z.

Another common mistake is doubling letters where they should not be doubled. "Notarizzed" (with two Z's) and "notarized" (with two E's) are both wrong. The correct spelling has one Z and one E before the -ed ending.

Some people accidentally spell it "notorized," changing the A to an O. This is a misspelling of the root word itself and will not be accepted on official documents. The root is always "notary," not "notory."

When you need the notarized spelling on documents

You will see "notarized" on legal paperwork, court documents, real estate transactions, power of attorney forms, and affidavits. Banks, government agencies, and courts all use this spelling in their official language and instructions.

If a form asks you to write "This document is notarized," you are confirming that a notary public has already witnessed and certified it. The spelling matters because the document may be filed with a court or submitted to a government body, where spelling errors can cause delays or rejection.

When in doubt, copy the spelling from the form itself or from the agency's official instructions. Most government websites and legal templates use "notarized" consistently, so you can reference those as your guide.

How spell-check handles notarized

Most modern spell-checkers (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and others) recognize "notarized" as correct American English. If your spell-checker flags it as wrong, check your language settings — it may be set to British English, which would flag the Z spelling and suggest the S spelling instead.

To fix this, go into your spell-checker settings and select "English (United States)" or "English (American)" rather than "English (UK)." Once you do, "notarized" will no longer be flagged as an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "notarised" ever correct in the United States?

No, not for official U.S. documents. "Notarised" is the British English spelling. U.S. courts, government agencies, and legal forms all expect "notarized" with a Z. If you are writing for a British audience or publication, use the S spelling, but for anything U.S.-based, use the Z.

Can I use "notarized" and "notarised" interchangeably?

Not in official contexts. Stick with one spelling for the entire document. If you are submitting to a U.S. agency or court, use "notarized." If you are writing for a British publication or audience, use "notarised." Mixing them looks inconsistent and unprofessional.

What if I misspell "notarized" on a document I am submitting?

A spelling error on the word itself is unlikely to invalidate a document, but it can raise questions about attention to detail. If the document has not been filed yet, correct it before submitting. If it has already been submitted, contact the agency to ask whether a corrected version is needed.

Is the notary's signature spelled differently?

No. The notary signs their name the same way they always do. The word "notarized" in the certification statement is what follows the standard spelling rules. The notary's personal signature is their own and does not change based on the spelling of the word "notarized."

Do I need to capitalize "notarized" in a sentence?

Only if it is the first word of a sentence or part of a proper title. In most cases, "notarized" is lowercase: "This document is notarized." If it appears in a heading like "Notarized Copy," capitalize it because it is part of the title.