A notary is a person authorized by your state to witness signatures and verify identities on 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, legal, or a good idea. They do not give legal information. Their job is narrow: they see your face, check your ID, watch you sign, and stamp the paper to prove they did.
When a notary stamps a document, they are saying "I watched this person sign this, I checked their driver's license, and they told me they understood what they were signing." That stamp—called a notarization—tells banks, courts, and government offices that the signature is real and the person was actually there. Many documents require a notary before they have legal weight: mortgages, powers of attorney, affidavits, and some real estate deeds.
Notaries are not lawyers. They cannot tell you what a contract means, whether you should sign it, or what your rights are. If you need legal information, you need a lawyer, not a notary.
Key Takeaways
- A notary watches you sign a document, checks your ID, and stamps it to prove the signature is genuine and you were present.
- Notaries cannot give legal information, interpret contracts, or tell you whether a document is fair or in your interest.
- Your state issues notary commissions, and requirements vary—some states require a background check and exam, others do not.
- You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, law offices, and some government offices, or search your state's notary directory online.
- A notarization usually costs between $5 and $25 per signature, though prices vary by location and document type.
How a notary verifies your identity
Before a notary will stamp anything, they must see a government-issued photo ID—usually a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. They compare the photo to your face and check that the ID has not expired. This is the core of their job: making sure you are not someone else signing under a false name.
If you do not have a photo ID, some notaries will accept other forms of identification, but this varies by state and by notary. A few states allow notaries to use a credible witness—someone the notary knows personally—to vouch for your identity if you have no ID at all. This is rare and usually only happens in rural areas or for people who cannot get a photo ID.
The notary will also ask you to sign the document in front of them. They cannot notarize a signature you made weeks ago or that someone else made for you. The signature must happen while they are watching.
What notaries can and cannot do
A notary can watch you sign, verify your ID, ask you to swear or affirm that you understand what you are signing, and stamp the document. They can notarize most private documents: powers of attorney, affidavits, loan documents, real estate papers, and consent forms. Some notaries are trained to perform jurats (where you swear under oath that the facts in a document are true) or acknowledgments (where you confirm you signed the document of your own free will).
A notary cannot give legal information, interpret what a contract means, tell you whether you should sign something, or explain your rights. They cannot notarize a blank document or one you have not signed yet. They cannot notarize a document if they have a financial interest in it—for example, a notary cannot notarize their own will or a deed to their own house. They also cannot notarize documents for family members in most states, though this rule varies.
If you need someone to explain a legal document or advise you on whether to sign it, you need a lawyer. A notary's stamp does not mean the document is legal or fair—it only means the signature is real.
How states license and regulate notaries
Each state sets its own rules for who can become a notary and what they must do. Most states require you to be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and able to read and write English. Some states require a background check; others do not. Some require you to pass an exam; others require only that you explore and pay a fee.
Notary commissions last a set number of years—usually four or six—and then must be renewed. Your state's Secretary of State office oversees notaries and keeps a record of who is commissioned. If you need to verify that someone is a real notary, you can search your state's notary directory, usually available on the Secretary of State website.
Notaries must keep a journal or logbook of every document they notarize, including the date, the signer's name, the type of document, and which ID they checked. This record is public and can be requested by a court or government office if there is a dispute about a signature.
Where to find a notary
Notaries work in many places. Banks often have notaries on staff for customers, though some charge a fee and some do it free. UPS stores, FedEx offices, and other shipping centers employ notaries. Law offices, real estate offices, and title companies have notaries. Some government offices—county clerks, motor vehicle departments—have notaries available, usually free or for a small fee.
If you do not know where to find one, search online for "notary near me" or visit your state's Secretary of State website, which usually has a searchable directory of commissioned notaries. You can also call your bank or local courthouse and ask for a referral.
Bring the document you need notarized, a government-issued photo ID, and any other ID the notary asks for. If the document is not yet signed, bring it unsigned—the notary will watch you sign it. Expect to wait 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how busy the notary is.
What a notarization costs
The cost of a notarization varies by state and location. Most notaries charge between $5 and $25 per signature. Some charge a flat fee per document; others charge per page. Banks may notarize for free if you are a customer. Government offices often charge $1 to $5. Mobile notaries—who come to your home or office—usually charge more, often $50 to $150, because of travel time.
Ask the notary what they charge before you hand over your document. Prices are not regulated in most states, so it is fair to call around and compare.
When you need a notary and when you do not
Many documents do not require a notary. A straightforward letter, a contract between two people, or a bill of sale does not need one unless the parties agree it should have one. But certain documents almost always require a notary to be legally valid: mortgages, deeds, powers of attorney, wills (in some states), and affidavits.
If you are not sure whether a document needs a notary, check the document itself—it will usually say "notarize this" or "have this notarized before a notary public." If the document does not say, ask the person or organization asking you to sign it. A lawyer can also tell you whether notarization is required.
Some documents require notarization only if they will be used in another state or country. For example, a power of attorney you plan to use in another state may need to be notarized in your state first. Ask the organization that will receive the document whether they need a notary's stamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?
Yes. A notary can refuse if you do not have a valid photo ID, if you do not sign the document in front of them, if they believe you do not understand what you are signing, or if they have a conflict of interest. A notary can also refuse if the document appears to be fraudulent or if they suspect coercion. They do not have to give a reason.
Is a notarized document the same as a legally binding document?
No. A notary's stamp proves the signature is real and you were present—it does not prove the document is legal, fair, or enforceable. A notarized contract can still be unenforceable if it violates the law or if one party was coerced. A notary does not judge the content of the document.
Can I notarize a document for a family member?
Most states do not allow notaries to notarize documents for close relatives—usually spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Some states allow it only if there is no financial interest. Check your state's rules or ask the notary before you ask them to notarize a family document.
What if I need a document notarized but cannot leave my house?
Mobile notaries travel to your home or office and notarize documents there. They charge more than office-based notaries—usually $50 to $150—because of travel time. Search online for "mobile notary near me" or ask your bank or lawyer for a referral.
Do I need to notarize a document if I am mailing it to another state?
Not always. Check with the person or organization receiving the document—they will tell you whether they need a notary's stamp. Some documents, like powers of attorney, may need to be notarized in your state before they are valid in another state.