Can a notary notarize anywhere in the US?

Asked by: Osborne Cummerata  |  Last update: April 29, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (74 votes)

The short answer is yes, notary publics are legally allowed to notarize documents from any state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary's state of commission.

Can a notary notarize in a different state?

Understanding Notarization Across State Lines

Notary commissions are state-specific, and a notary's authority is not typically limited to their own state. For instance, a notary public in Texas can notarize documents intended for use in California unless specific conditions are applied.

Can a Maryland notary notarize in DC?

A notary public commission issued by the State of Maryland does not authorize the holder to act as a notary public in another state or the District of Columbia. Similarly, a notary public of another state may not act as a notary public in Maryland, unless the person also holds a commission issued by Maryland.

What is the Michigan law for notary?

(1) A notary public shall place his or her signature on every record upon which he or she performs a notarial act. The notary public shall sign his or her name exactly as his or her name appears on his or her application for commission as a notary public.

Can an Illinois notary notarize a document from another state?

May I notarize documents that originate out of state? Yes, as long as you perform the notarial act in Illinois and the notarial certificate indicates "State of Illinois, County of _______________________" to identify the jurisdiction in which the notarial act took place.

Can I Notarize Documents In Other States Or Countries?

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How much can I charge to notarize in Illinois?

A maximum of $5 for notarizing. A maximum of $3 to do any procedures necessary to obtain a required document. A maximum of $75 for one complete application. A maximum of $25 for any electronic notarial act.

Can a US notary notarize a foreign document?

Generally, state laws do not expressly prohibit the Notary from notarizing a document that is not in the English language. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be inadvisable to notarize such foreign-language documents. The danger, of course, is that the document is being misrepresented to the Notary.

Does Michigan allow remote notary?

Yes. An electronic or remote notarization must contain all the components of a complete notarization as set forth in the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA); including language to identify the notarial act as being performed electronically or remotely, if applicable.

How much can I charge as a notary in Michigan?

The Michigan Notary Public Act provides that a notary public may charge up to $10.00 for performing a notarial act.

What disqualifies you from being a notary in Michigan?

Sec. 41. (1) If an individual commissioned as a notary public in this state is convicted of a felony or of a substantially corresponding violation of another state, the secretary shall automatically revoke the notary public commission of that individual on the date that the individual's felony conviction is entered.

Can a NY notary notarize in other states?

The short answer is yes, notary publics are legally allowed to notarize documents from any state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary's state of commission.

What can a Texas notary notarize?

A Notary Public is a public servant with statewide jurisdiction who is authorized to take acknowledgments, protest instruments permitted by law to be protested (primarily negotiable instruments and bills and notes), administer oaths, take depositions, and certify copies of documents not recordable in the public records ...

Can my employer keep my notary stamp?

Your seal and journal belong to you and may only be used by you; they cannot be borrowed or used by a boss or coworkers. If you're out sick, for example, your boss cannot have another employee use your seal to start stamping documents.

Do notaries differ by state?

Notary laws vary by state in areas such as commission requirements, types of notarial acts permitted, and methods of notarization. For instance, some states allow notaries to perform electronic notarizations, while others only recognize traditional ink signatures.

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.

How to notarize a document in Kentucky?

Notaries on the Notarize Network are always online and available 24/7.
  1. Upload or scan your document. ...
  2. Create a Proof account. ...
  3. Verify your connection. ...
  4. Verify your identity. ...
  5. Connect with a notary on a video call. ...
  6. Access your completed document. ...
  7. Download or send document to another person.

What can notaries not charge for?

Some states prohibit their notaries from charging or collecting a fee for notarizing a signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.

Can I notarize for family?

“In California, a notary public is not prohibited from notarizing for relatives or others, unless doing so would provide a direct financial or beneficial interest to the notary public. With California's community property law, care should be exercised if notarizing for a spouse or a domestic partner.”

What is exempt notary income?

All Notary Income must be reported income on on Form 1040 Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ. However, notary income is exempt from self-employment tax on their notarial income because they are public officials. This means you are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare but you are taxed at full rate on your profit.

Are remote notaries in demand?

Location and Demand

Location plays a crucial role in influencing a remote online notary's income. States with high property values or legal activities, like California or New York, tend to present more lucrative opportunities due to increased demand.

Can a notary notarize a signature without being 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 anyone be a notary in USA?

Notary Public Eligibility Requirements

In general, you must be 18 years old and a legal resident of your state with no criminal record. Some states require applicants to read and write English while others allow residents of neighboring states to become Notaries.

Can a notary translate documents?

So, can a notary public translate documents in a foreign language. The short answer is yes, a notary public is allowed to perform this service. If a client walks into a notary's office to request a translation, and the notary public is fluent in the language used, the notary may translate the document for the client.

Can a non-US citizen become a notary public?

If you are not a citizen of the United States, your state may want you to file a Declaration of Domicile stating that you are a resident of the state in which you are applying to become a notary public. Your county courthouse should be able to provide you with this form and accept it when it is filled out.