A notary public is a person authorized by your state to witness signatures and verify identities on important documents
A notary public is someone your state has licensed to watch you sign a document and confirm that you are who you say you are. They do not judge whether the document is fair or legal — they only verify that the person signing it is real, willing, and understands what they are signing. When a notary stamps and signs a document, they are telling anyone who reads it later that they saw the signature happen in front of them.
Notaries exist because many transactions — selling property, opening certain bank accounts, filing court papers — require proof that a signature is genuine. A notary's seal and signature on a document carry legal weight. If someone later claims they never signed something, the notary's record can contradict them. This protection is why lenders, courts, and government agencies often require notarization.
Key Takeaways
- A notary watches you sign a document, checks your ID, and stamps it to prove the signature is real and voluntary.
- Notaries are licensed by individual states, so rules about what they can notarize and how much they charge vary by location.
- You must appear in person with a valid photo ID; notaries cannot notarize documents they did not see you sign.
- Common documents that need notarization include property deeds, power of attorney forms, affidavits, and loan documents.
- You can find notaries at banks, law offices, UPS stores, and through online searches for "notary public near me."
What a notary actually does during the signing
When you bring a document to a notary, they will ask to see a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. They check that the photo matches your face and that the ID has not expired. This step prevents someone from forging your signature by pretending to be you.
Next, the notary reads the document or at least the part you are signing. They ask you to confirm that you understand what you are signing and that you are signing it of your own free will — not under pressure or threat. If you seem confused or reluctant, a notary can refuse to notarize the document.
You then sign the document in front of the notary. The notary watches the signature happen. They do not sign for you or allow you to sign beforehand and bring it in unsigned. After you sign, the notary adds their own signature, stamps the document with an official seal, and records the date and sometimes details about your ID in a journal. That journal is a legal record and can be reviewed later if there is a dispute.
Types of notarization and what they mean
Not all notarizations are identical. The most common type is a jurat, which means the notary watched you sign and you swore or affirmed under oath that the contents of the document are true. A jurat is used for affidavits and court documents where the truthfulness of the statements matters.
An acknowledgment is simpler — the notary only confirms that you signed the document and that you are the person named in it. They do not ask whether the contents are true. Acknowledgments are common on property deeds, powers of attorney, and loan documents.
A copy certification means the notary has compared an original document to a photocopy and confirms they are identical. Some states limit what notaries can certify as copies, so ask before you bring the originals in.
Where to find a notary public
Banks often have notaries on staff, and many will notarize documents for customers at no charge. Call ahead to confirm they offer the service and to ask whether you need an appointment. Some banks only notarize documents related to accounts they hold.
Law offices, title companies, and real estate offices employ notaries. UPS stores and FedEx locations in many areas have notaries available for a fee, usually between five and fifteen dollars per signature. Online search engines and apps like "notary public near me" will show you local options with hours and phone numbers.
Some states allow notaries to work remotely using video conferencing, though rules are still developing. If you search for "remote notary" or "online notary," confirm that the service is licensed in your state before you pay.
What notaries cannot do
A notary cannot give legal information or tell you whether a document is fair or correct. They cannot explain what you are signing or suggest changes. If you do not understand a document, ask a lawyer before you bring it to the notary.
Notaries cannot notarize blank documents or documents you have not signed yet. They cannot notarize a signature they did not witness. They cannot notarize documents for themselves or for close family members in most states — the rules vary, so ask your notary if you are related to them.
A notary cannot certify that information in a document is true. They can only confirm that you signed it and that you are the person you claim to be. If a document contains false statements, the notary's seal does not make those statements legal or true.
How much notarization costs
Notary fees vary by state and by the notary's employer. Banks often notarize for free if you have an account. Independent notaries and those working at UPS stores typically charge between five and twenty dollars per signature. Some charge per page or per document rather than per signature.
If you need multiple signatures notarized on the same document, ask whether the notary charges once or per signature. Remote notarization may cost more because it requires technology and scheduling. Always ask the fee before the notary begins work.
What to bring to a notary appointment
Bring the unsigned document and a valid photo ID. Your ID must not be expired and must have a photo that matches your current appearance. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work.
If you are unsure whether your ID will be accepted, call the notary ahead of time. Bring extra copies of the document if you need more than one notarized version. If the document has multiple pages, bring all of them — the notary needs to see the full document.
If you are having a document notarized for a court case or government filing, ask the court or agency first whether they have specific notarization requirements. Some require a jurat instead of an acknowledgment, or they may need the notary to use particular language on the seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary notarize a document I signed before I came to them?
No. A notary must watch you sign the document. If you have already signed it, the notary cannot notarize it. You will need to get a blank copy and sign it in front of the notary, or ask the notary whether they can add a separate notarized statement confirming your signature.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
Most notaries will not notarize without a valid photo ID. Some states allow notaries to use other forms of identification if you can provide two documents with your name and signature, but this is rare. Contact your state's notary office or call notaries in your area to ask what they accept.
Do I need a notary if the document says "notarization recommended"?
If notarization is recommended but not required, you can sign without one. However, if the document is later challenged — for example, if someone claims you did not sign it — a notary's seal would have protected you. For important documents like property transfers or powers of attorney, notarization is worth the small cost.
How long does a notarized document last?
A notarized document does not expire. The notary's seal confirms the signature was real on the date it was signed. However, some organizations that accept notarized documents may have their own rules about how old a notarization can be — for example, a bank might require a notarization dated within the last six months. Check with the organization that will receive the document.
Can I notarize a document for someone else?
No. The person whose signature is being notarized must be present in front of the notary with a valid ID. You cannot sign a document on someone else's behalf and have it notarized unless you have a power of attorney that specifically allows it, and even then the notary will likely require the person with the power of attorney to appear.