What a notary does
A notary public verifies the signer's identity, witnesses the signature, and records the act in a notary journal.
Notarization does not make a document legal or accurate — it certifies that the signing happened as described.
Documents that often require notarization
Common examples include:
- Deeds and certain real estate documents
- Powers of attorney
- Some affidavits
- Vehicle bills of sale in certain states
- Loan documents
How notarization typically works
The general process:
- Bring an unsigned document and government-issued ID
- Sign in the notary's presence
- The notary completes the certificate and stamp/seal
- The notary logs the act in their journal
Frequently asked
- Where can I find a notary?
- Banks, shipping stores, and law offices commonly offer notary services. Mobile and online notarization is also available in many areas.
- Does notarization make a document enforceable?
- No. Notarization verifies the signing process; enforceability depends on the document's content and applicable law.
- Is online notarization valid?
- Many states permit remote online notarization under specific rules. Acceptance varies by jurisdiction.
- Does LegalDocBuilder.com provide notarization?
- No. We help generate documents; notarization is a separate service performed by a licensed notary.
LegalDocBuilder.com is a document preparation platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice or representation. For complex matters, review your documents with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.