A notary verifies your identity and watches you sign documents
A notary public is a person licensed by your state to witness signatures and confirm that the person signing is who they claim to be. They do not read the document, give legal information, or decide whether you should sign it. Their job is narrow: check your ID, watch you sign, and stamp the paper to prove they saw it happen.
When you sign something in front of a notary, you are creating a record that the signature is genuine. Banks, courts, real estate offices, and government agencies often require this because a notarized signature is harder to forge or deny later. The notary's stamp and signature on the document tell anyone reading it that a licensed person verified the signer's identity on a specific date.
Notaries work in banks, law offices, UPS stores, and as independent contractors. Some charge a few dollars per signature; others charge per page or by the hour. The cost varies by state and by notary.
Key Takeaways
- A notary checks your government-issued ID and watches you sign a document to confirm the signature is real.
- The notary does not read or understand the document—they only verify identity and witness the signing.
- Notarized documents are required for many legal, financial, and real estate transactions because the notary's stamp proves the signature happened.
- You can find notaries at banks, law offices, shipping stores, and through independent notary services in your area.
- Notaries are licensed by the state and must follow specific rules about what they can and cannot do.
What a notary checks before stamping your document
Before a notary will stamp anything, they must see a current, government-issued ID. This means a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. They compare the photo to your face and check that the ID has not expired. If your ID is expired or you have no ID with you, the notary will refuse to notarize.
The notary also asks you to confirm that you are signing the document willingly and that you understand what you are signing. They do not check whether the document is correct or whether you should sign it—that is your responsibility. They are only confirming that you are the person on the ID and that you are choosing to sign.
Some documents require a notary to ask specific questions. For a power of attorney or affidavit, the notary may ask you to swear or affirm that the information in the document is true. For other documents, they straightforward watch you sign. The type of document and your state's rules determine what the notary must do.
Why banks, courts, and landlords require notarized signatures
A notarized signature is evidence that the person who signed actually signed—not a forged copy, not someone else pretending to be you. When a bank lends money, a court accepts a document, or a landlord signs a lease, they want proof that the signature is real. The notary's stamp and signature provide that proof.
Real estate transactions almost always require notarized signatures on the deed, mortgage, and closing documents. Power of attorney documents must be notarized in most states because they give someone else the right to act on your behalf—the notary's verification protects both you and the person receiving the power. Affidavits (sworn statements) are notarized to confirm that the person swearing to the truth of the statement is real and willing.
Some documents do not legally require a notary but are notarized anyway because it makes them stronger evidence. A letter of consent, a medical directive, or a permission slip may not need a notary by law, but notarizing it makes it harder to deny later.
What a notary cannot do
A notary is not a lawyer and cannot give legal information. They cannot tell you whether a document is fair, whether you should sign it, or what the consequences will be. If you have questions about what a document means or whether it protects your interests, you need to talk to a lawyer, not a notary.
A notary cannot notarize a document they did not watch you sign in person. Some states allow notaries to notarize documents signed over video, but most require you to be physically present. A notary also cannot notarize a document for themselves or for a close family member in most states—the rules vary, so check your state's requirements.
A notary cannot change, add to, or remove words from a document. If there is a blank space or a mistake, the notary will not fill it in or cross it out. You must fix the document before the notary will stamp it. A notary also cannot notarize a blank document or one with blank spaces where signatures should go.
How to find a notary near you
Banks often notarize documents for customers at no charge or for a small fee. Call your bank and ask whether they offer notary services and whether you need an appointment. Many banks have at least one notary on staff during business hours.
UPS stores, FedEx offices, and other shipping centers employ notaries. You can search their websites to find a location near you and sometimes book an appointment online. Independent notaries advertise online and through local directories—search "notary public near me" to find options in your area.
Law offices and title companies (which handle real estate closings) have notaries on staff. If you are working with a lawyer or buying a house, ask them to notarize your documents. Some employers also have notaries available to employees.
What to bring when you visit a notary
Bring the document you need notarized and a current, government-issued ID. The ID must have a photo, your signature, and an expiration date that has not passed. A driver's license or passport works; a library card or student ID does not.
If you are unsure which documents need notarizing or what the notary will ask you to do, call ahead. Some notaries will answer questions over the phone. Bring all copies of the document you need notarized—if you need three copies stamped, bring three.
Ask the notary about their fee before they notarize. Fees vary by state and by notary. Some charge per signature, some per page, and some by the hour. Bring cash or ask whether they take cards.
The difference between notarized and certified documents
A notarized document has been signed in front of a notary who verified your identity. A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document that a notary or government office has stamped to confirm it is a true copy of the original. They are not the same thing.
If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, or court record, you usually get it from the government office that issued the original—the vital records office, courthouse, or clerk's office. Some notaries can certify copies of documents you already have, but they cannot create certified copies of government records.
Ask whoever is asking for the document whether they need it notarized (signed in front of a notary) or certified (a true copy of an original). The two are different, and getting the wrong one means making another trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize a document I sign at home?
No, in most states. A notary must watch you sign the document in person. Some states allow remote notarization over video, but the notary must still see you sign in real time. If you need a document notarized, you must visit the notary or arrange a video notarization if your state allows it.
What if I do not have a government-issued ID?
A notary will not notarize without a current government ID with a photo. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your DMV. Some notaries may accept other forms of ID in rare cases, but this is uncommon and varies by state.
How long does a notarization take?
Most notarizations take five to ten minutes. The notary checks your ID, asks you to confirm you are signing willingly, watches you sign, and stamps the document. If you have multiple documents or the notary has questions, it may take longer.
Can I notarize a document for someone else?
No. The person whose signature is being notarized must be present in front of the notary. You cannot sign a document on someone else's behalf and have it notarized. The person must sign it themselves while the notary watches.
Do I need a notary for a will?
It depends on your state. Some states require wills to be notarized; others do not. Many people notarize wills anyway because it makes them stronger evidence. Ask a lawyer in your state whether your will needs to be notarized.