What Documents Can I Notarize?

One of the most common questions we receive from novice notaries is, "What documents can I notarize?" Or more specifically, "Do you have a list of documents that notaries are allowed to notarize?"

It’s a reasonable question—but not the right one.

The truth is, there’s no complete list of documents that notaries public can or cannot notarize.

Instead, we always tell notaries to ask:

"What notarial acts am I authorized to perform under my state’s laws?"

Once you understand what notarial acts you are authorized to perform in your state—such as taking acknowledgments, administering oaths or affirmations, witnessing or attesting signatures, and copy certifications—and you know how to perform each notarial act properly, you can then determine whether you're allowed to notarize the document.

Why There’s No “Master List” of Documents You Can Notarize

Documents come in many forms and serve a wide range of purposes—affidavits, contracts, powers of attorney, deeds, school forms, travel permissions, letters of intent, and many more. As long as the document presented by the signer includes a notarial certificate for you to complete and sign, and the notarial certificate complies with your state’s laws, you can generally proceed.

Instead of focusing on the type of document, focus on the notarial act being requested.

Here’s What You Should Consider Before Notarizing Any Document:

• Does the document already include a notarial certificate?
  If so, read the certificate carefully to determine whether it indicates an acknowledgment, jurat, or other notarial act. If the document doesn’t include a notarial certificate, the signer must tell you what type of notarial act they want—you may NOT choose for them.
• Is the notarial act allowed in your state?
  Make sure the requested act—such as copy certification or witnessing or attesting a signature—is one you are authorized to perform under your state’s notary laws. Not all states permit every type of notarial act.
• Has the client personally appeared before you?
  For most notarial acts, the client must be physically present or, in the case of remote notarizations, appear through an audio-visual platform.
• Have you determined the signer’s competency and willingness to sign without coercion?
  You must verify the signer has the mental capacity to understand the contents of the document and is signing voluntarily, without coercion.
• Have you verified the signer’s identity?
  Each state sets its own rules about what forms of identification notaries may rely on when confirming a signer’s identity. Be sure you’re following the specific guidelines required by your commissioning state.
• Is the document complete?
  You should not notarize an incomplete document. Make sure there are no blank spaces that could be filled in later—unless the blank is clearly designated to be completed by a government office.
• Is it legal to perform the notarization?
  Notaries cannot notarize documents that they know are fraudulent or that would violate state law.

When You Should Say No to a Notarization Request

You should refuse to perform a notarization if:

• The signer is not present.
• You cannot verify the signer's identity.
• The document lacks a notarial certificate, and the signer is unable to select one.
• The act is not authorized under your state laws.
• The document is incomplete or appears to be fraudulent.
• You are a party to the transaction or have a financial interest.
• You are asked to certify copies of vital records or other public records (unless specifically authorized by your state).

Final Thoughts

There’s no complete list of documents you can notarize—and there doesn’t need to be. The key is understanding your authority as a notary public in your state. Once you know what notarial acts you're allowed to perform, and you understand how to execute them properly, you’ll be able to determine whether you can notarize any given document.

Notary laws and procedures can change. Make it a habit to periodically review your state’s notary handbook and consult with your state’s commissioning office or professional associations, like the American Association of Notaries, for updates and best practices.