What Documents Require Notarization?

Key Takeaways

• High Stakes Documents Require Notarization: Documents involving money, property, or legal rights tend to need notarization.
• Notarization Prevents Fraud: A notary public verifies your identity, your willingness to sign, and your awareness of what you’re signing.
• Signing is Necessary: A drafted document isn’t valid until it is signed and notarized. 
• Preparation Prevents Delays: Bring valid, unexpired photo ID, complete every field except your signature, and don’t sign until you’re in front of the notary. 
• Online Notarization is an Option: Most states allow remote online notarization.

Imagine you’ve spent weeks getting your paperwork in order, only to have it rejected because you didn’t know it was one of the documents that require notarization. It’s a frustrating and surprisingly common setback—and an avoidable one. Many legal, financial, and personal documents don’t become valid the moment you sign them. First, they need a notary public to witness and verify your signature. Knowing what documents need to be notarized can save you from unsuccessful filings and last-minute scrambles.

This guide walks you through what documents need to be notarized, why the requirement exists, and how online notary services can get it done in minutes.

No time to waste? Book your online notary appointment today and finish the process in minutes.

Why Some Documents Require Notarization

Notarization is a fraud-prevention step required for many important transactions. The notary confirms three things before applying an official seal:

• Your Identity: You show a government-issued photo ID to prove who you are.
• Your Willingness: You sign freely without pressure or coercion from anyone.
• Your Awareness: You appear to understand the document you are signing.

A notary public acts as a neutral third-party witness during signing and records the act in an official journal. This creates lasting proof if a dispute happens later. Read our article to learn more about what a notary public does and how the process works.

Important Note: Notarization doesn’t mean the notary approves the content—it confirms that the signing was genuine. Once a document is notarized, a court can accept it as evidence.

“The purpose of notarization is to prevent fraud. Getting documents notarized protects everyone at the table.” — Talia Wang, Notary Public 

So, which documents need to be notarized? As a rule, notarized documents tend to involve money, property, or legal rights. The higher the stakes, the more likely notarization is required.

Need a document notarized fast? Book your online notary appointment and finish today.

Common Documents That Require Notarization

Below are the most common documents requiring notarization. Requirements may vary by state, so confirm what’s required where you are.

Affidavits

Affidavit notarization is done every day. An Affidavit is a written statement that is sworn to be true. As the Affiant (the person who signs the Affidavit), you make an oath before a notary. The notary public then witnesses your signature and then signs the Affidavit themselves. 

Affidavits are among the most common legal documents and are often used as court evidence. They serve many purposes, such as proving you’re unmarried to get a marriage license abroad, and in estate matters, family law cases, small claims proceedings, and other legal matters.

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney (POA) lets you appoint someone to act on your behalf. This is commonly done to manage money or property. Because the stakes are so high, it’s standard to get this document notarized, which shows the POA is genuine. 

Rules vary widely around Power of Attorney notarization, so always check to see what is required in your state.

Real Estate Documents

Several types of real estate documents require notarization. For example, every state requires notarization for Deeds, which are used to transfer property ownership. Notarization lets the county record your Deed. Recording creates a public record that protects your ownership and gives notice to others. A Deed that is not notarized will be rejected.

Mortgages and Deeds of Trust also require notarization.  A mortgage is a loan from a bank or lender used to buy real estate, where the property acts as security (collateral). This means the lender can take the property if you do not repay the money.  A deed of trust is used in real estate to hold property title in trust by a third party until a loan is fully repaid. These documents carry major financial weight, so the extra safeguard of notarization makes sense.

Travel Consent Letters

A Travel Consent Letter allows a child to travel without both parents. It is commonly used for divorced couples when only one parent is traveling with the child. 

The U.S. government recommends a notarized travel consent letter for international trips. Notarization shows officials that permission to travel has been granted by the parent who isn’t travelling, which helps prevent child abduction.

Financial Documents

Some financial documents require notarization when large sums of money are involved. For example, notarization is needed for certain loan agreements to protect the transaction from fraud.

Business Documents

Businesses often notarize documents to make them harder to dispute. Common examples include commercial leases and vendor contracts. 

Some states also require notarization when you’re forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a corporation. And some banks or financial institutions may request notarized copies of your formation documents. Always check to see what is required.

Estate Planning Documents

Here’s a surprise: Most Wills don’t have to be notarized. In 49 states, a Will is valid with proper signing and witnesses. Louisiana is the only exception.

Instead, a Self-Proving Affidavit is notarized. This is an optional document you attach to a Will. It speeds up probate by letting the court accept the Will without calling in the people who watched you sign it. 

Living trusts and certifications of trust are also notarized. A living trust is a legal arrangement created while you are alive to hold and manage your assets. A certification of trust is a legal document that proves a trust exists. Banks and brokerages often require notarization before they will act on these documents.

Vehicle Documents

Vehicle title rules vary by state. Some states, including Arizona, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, require notarized title transfers. Most states only require notarization in specific situations, such as when a lien exists, or there is a duplicate title. Always check your state DMV to learn what documents must be notarized.

Online notarization is fast and secure. Book your online notary appointment now and complete your document in minutes.

Documents That May Not Require Notarization

Not every document must be notarized. In fact, many common agreements are valid the moment you sign them. 

Typical examples include federal tax returns, standard contracts, and vital records Government-issued vital records—such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses—are certified directly by the issuing agency rather than a notary.

Even when it’s not required, notarization adds protection. It can make a document more credible if anyone questions it later.

Can These Documents Be Notarized Online?

Most documents can be notarized online. Remote online notarization (RON) uses a secure two-way video call, which eliminates the need to travel and meet with a notary public in person. 

What matters most is where the notary is commissioned, not where you are located. RON documents are accepted in all 50 states.

Important Note: RON is legal in most states, plus Washington, D.C. Learn more about the notary laws in your state.

Here’s what you need to do prepare for online notarization:

• Check Your Device: You will need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a microphone.
• Test Your Internet Connection: A stable connection helps avoid interruptions during the video session.
• Have Your Government-issued Photo ID Ready to Show on Camera: You will be asked to hold it up so the notary can verify your identity visually.
• Upload Your Document in Advance: Most online notary platforms require you to upload your document before your session begins.

Skip the trip! Book your online notary appointment and finish from home in minutes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Errors can delay the notarization process or even make the notarization invalid. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your appointment goes smoothly:

• Signing Too Early: Documents must be signed in front of the notary.
• Leaving Blank Fields: Complete every section of the document before your appointment except the signature.
• Bringing the Wrong ID: Your photo ID must be valid (not expired) and must match your name.
• Forgetting Witnesses: Some documents require witnesses by state law. Each witness must provide their own valid government-issued photo ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Notarized Document Expire?

The notarization itself does not expire, but the underlying paperwork or the receiving organization might impose limits. Some paperwork—like a background check or a financial statement—has a built-in end date or time-sensitive data. And certain organizations like immigration offices, foreign embassies, or banks often demand that a notarization be recent—typically within 30 to 90 days.

Can I Notarize a Document Myself?

No. A commissioned notary public must perform the notarization. You can’t notarize your own signature.

Is Online Notarization as Valid as In-Person Notarization?

Yes. Documents notarized through remote online notarization (RON) carry the same legal weight as documents notarized in person.

How Much Does Notarization Cost?

Fees vary by state and service type. See our guide on how much a notary public costs for more information.

Next Step: Complete Your Document

Drafting your document is only the first step. Your document must be signed and commissioned in front of a notary to be valid.

1. Prepare Your Document. Make sure it’s filled out completely, but don’t sign it before your appointment.
2. Gather Your Valid Government-issued Photo ID. It must be current/not expired.
3. Choose Your Notary Option. In-person, mobile, or online.
4. Book Your Appointment. Book your online notary appointment for the fastest option and have a notary commission your document from any device with a Wi-Fi connection.

Conclusion 

Documents that require notarization don’t have to slow you down. If convenience and speed are important to you, getting your documents notarized online makes a lot of sense. Book your online notary appointment now and finish in minutes.