Can I notarize a document that has been docusigned?

Asked by: Brandi Glover  |  Last update: June 19, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (71 votes)

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.

Can you notarize something that is DocuSign?

Use the Docusign experience you know and love to securely send, sign and notarize critical agreements remotely. Docusign Notary empowers your notaries public with the digital tools they need to conduct remote online notarization (RON) transactions.

Can I notarize a document with an electronic signature?

Remote online notarization (RON)

Keep in mind that the states of California, Missouri, and Illinois do not regulate or approve this process. However, documents electronically notarized in other states are still legally valid when used in these states.

Can you certify a DocuSign document?

Yes, we can, however you would need to ask the person who prepared the envelope for signing to forward the certificate of completion to us.

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.

Can I notarize a document that's already signed?

34 related questions found

Can a notary notarize a document already signed?

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. It is crucial to understand state-specific regulations to comply with legal requirements.

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 you use DocuSign for legal documents?

Are DocuSign's electronic signatures legally binding? DocuSign eSignatures are valid and legally binding across the globe and in use in 188 countries around the world.

How to 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 a certifying authority?

The Docusign Signature Appliance (DSA) allows the DSA customer to administer their own Certificate Authority (CA) and issue standard, compliant digital certificates for their domain where the certificates' intended use is digital signatures.

Can documents be signed electronically?

Yes, e-signatures are legally recognized around the world. In the U.S., the ESIGN Act, which was signed into law in 2000, grants legal recognition to electronic signatures and records if all parties to a contract choose to use electronic documents and to sign them electronically.

Can you notarize a document that doesn't need a signature?

The bottom line (no pun intended), which is the signature line, is that without a signature, there can be no Acknowledgment or Jurat on a particular document. An Oath or Affirmation are the only Notary Acts you can do without a signature.

How many states allow remote online notarization?

Is online notary legal in the US? Yes, online notary is legal in most U.S. states. As of 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws allowing for some form of remote online notarization. However, the specific requirements and regulations can vary by state.

Can you notarize an emailed 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.

Does DocuSign use an actual signature?

Yes. If you want to use your handwritten signature and initials in eSignature, upload a scanned image of them. You can also create a signature and initials in eSignature using a stylus or your finger on a touchscreen device.

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 authenticate a DocuSign document?

Phone Authentication: This method requires the recipient receive an SMS text message or answer a phone call to receive an authentication code. The recipient then enters the code in order to view their documents. The sender specifies the phone number the recipient will authenticate against.

How long do documents stay in DocuSign?

Setting a document retention period is optional. By default, Docusign securely retains all customer documents on the service for as long as the account is active. When an account is closed, Docusign purges all sent, signed, and voided envelopes that are older than two years from the account closure date.

Can you use DocuSign for notary?

Docusign Notary enables Remote Online Notarization (RON) through an audio-visual session. Notaries must set up a notary profile and digital certificate. You usually do this from the email invite to join an organization as a notary. Your ID is verified as part of this process.

Will a DocuSign document hold up in court?

In other words, e-signatures are completely legal and binding. They can hold up in court.

Which documents cannot be signed electronically?

Documents that are, by law, not allowed to be signed electronically includes:
  • Sales Agreements for land or buildings.
  • Wills.
  • Any document where another type of signature (i.e. non-electronic) has been agreed to.
  • Any document where the law requires another type of signature.
  • Long term lease agreements of 20 years and longer.

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.

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?

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.