Can a notary notarize a scanned document?

Asked by: Alessia Robel  |  Last update: February 19, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (38 votes)

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers in reference to electronic notarization: Question: Can I scan a signed document into the computer, then notarize the scanned image? Answer: No, that would be like notarizing a photocopy of a signature.

Can you notarize a scanned document?

Please note that RON procedures may vary depending on state laws, and not all states permit Notaries to perform remote online notarizations. For example, California does not permit its Notaries to perform RONs, and South Carolina does not address RON in its Notary laws.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.

Can I notarize a document that has been docusigned?

No, notarization rules vary by jurisdiction. Some states, like California, require the notary to witness the signature, whereas others, like Texas, allow acknowledgment of a pre-existing signature.

Should a notary always scan the entire document before notarizing to make sure the document is complete?

Review the document

Scan the document to make sure it is complete, has no blank spaces or missing pages, and includes a Notary certificate. The certificate tells you what type of notarization to perform.

How to Perform a Remote Online Notarization

39 related questions found

Does a notary have to read the document they are notarizing?

No, it is not illegal; however, the Notary should not read the documents they notarize because it is unnecessary and could possibly be a violation of the signer's privacy. You may scan over the document to obtain the information you need for your journal entry of the notarization. Confronted with a tricky notarization?

Do all pages of a document need to be notarized?

Because of this, many states prohibit notarizing a document that is incomplete or contains blank spaces. In California, the Secretary of State's 2024 Notary Public Handbook instructs Notaries to refuse to notarize if the Notary knows a document is incomplete.

How to notarize a digital document?

How It Works. Getting a document notarized is easy. Simply upload your docs, verify your identity and you will be connected to a notary via an online meeting. Notaries on the Notarize Network are always online and available 24/7.

How do you tell if a document has been DocuSigned?

When a DocuSigned document is viewed in the Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe displays a seal that indicates the signatures are valid. Refer to image and image key below. This validation seal is lost when the document is imaged or printed but that does not invalidate the signatures.

Is DocuSign as good as notary?

Yes, both DocuSign and OnlineNotary provide legally binding digital signatures that meet ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS regulations. BlueNotary also ensures its signatures and notarizations meet the highest legal standards, providing a secure solution for document management.

What makes a notarized document invalid?

Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal

States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.

Which of the following offenses cancels a notary application?

The examples include but are not limited to: assault, arson, auto theft, burglary, possession or sale of illegal drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, failure to pay child support or failure to comply with a court order.

Can you notarize a signature without the person present?

To notarize a document, the signers must be present at the time of notarization. While you can notarize an acknowledgment document that has been previously signed in some cases, the signer must still be present at the time of notarization to confirm the validity of their signature.

Can a PDF be notarized?

Adobe and Notarize have partnered to make digital notary services easily accessible. You can instantly connect with a trusted notary to sign PDF documents and get them certified hassle-free.

Can a scanned document be signed?

Scanned signatures are not legally valid. This is because it's impossible to prove both the identity and the intent of the signer. Think about it: anyone with access to any document containing your handwritten signature could simply scan it. After that, they could just paste it into whatever document they choose.

Can an email be notarized?

Yes, notarized emails are legally binding as they offer verifiable proof of the sender's identity and message integrity, making them admissible in court.

How do you tell if a document has been electronically signed?

All information required to verify that the document has been electronically signed can be viewed in the signature panel and in the XML files attached to the PDF once the signing process is completed. Let's take a look at some examples to check where this data is located.

Can you edit a document that has been Docusigned?

Using the Docusign Document Markup feature, recipients can make changes to a Docusign document. Recipients can use the markup tool to: White out, or cover up, document text to show deletions. Cover up text ,and add new text over the old text.

How do I notarize a document already signed?

If the document has already been signed, the signer can sign his or her name again above or next to the first signature. You can then proceed with the notarization. You may want to notate in your journal that the signer was instructed to sign again in your presence.

In which of the following situations should a notary decline to complete a notarization?

Here are several other potential situations when you should refuse the request:
  • You know or suspect the transaction is false, illegal or deceptive.
  • The act being requested is not an authorized notarial act.
  • The signer is unable or unwilling to pay the required fee.
  • The request is made outside of your regular office hours.

Is electronic notary legal in all states?

Yes, California now allows remote online notarization. Governor Newsom signed SB 696 into law in 2023, which will take effect in 2024.

Does a document need to be typed to be notarized?

Yes, you may notarize a signature on a document that includes handwritten paragraphs. A document can be typed or handwritten.

What is required by a notary of the person signing the notarized document?

Bring Acceptable Identification

The primary duty of a Notary Public is to verify your identity as the document signer. The most common way they determine that you are who you say you are, is by checking state-issued identification documents, like driver's licenses and passports.

What happens if a document is not notarized?

These documents solely depend on the signatures of the parties involved to establish their authenticity and enforceability. Although non-notarized documents can still be legally valid, they lack the supplementary level of authentication and verification that comes with notarization.