Does it matter what state a notary is from?
Asked by: Lucas Herman | Last update: January 4, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (68 votes)
Can a Notary Legally Notarize Out-of-State Documents? Yes, a notary public can legally notarize documents from any state as long as the notarial act occurs in the state in which they were commissioned.
Can a notary notarize anywhere in the US?
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.
Are notaries state specific?
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.
Does location of notary matter?
The venue may seem fairly insignificant, but it's actually important. Every notary has a limited jurisdiction in which they can perform notarial duties. In most states, a notary's jurisdiction is limited to the state for which they are appointed.
Is a notarized document valid in all states?
If a notarization is carried out within the requirements of a given state, it will be legally recognized in all states. The notary should always check that the state and country listed as the “venue” on the notarized document reflect the state where the notarization takes place.
Can I Notarize Documents In Other States Or Countries?
Can I transfer my notary to another state?
The answer generally is “no” — Notary commissions are not transferable between states. If you are relocating to another state, you need to resign your current commission and apply for a Notary commission in your new state.
Can a California notary use an out of state acknowledgment?
A notary public may complete a certificate of acknowledgment required in another state or jurisdiction of the United States on documents to be filed in that other state or jurisdiction, provided the form does not require the notary public to determine or certify that the signer holds a particular representative ...
Does it matter where I get my document notarized?
Once a notary receives his or her commission, he or she is permitted to notarize documents in that state. This means that the location where the document is notarized is important, not necessarily where the document is from.
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 be a remote notary in a different state?
Currently, California does not allow its own notaries to perform remote online notarization. However, thanks to the passing of California Senate Bill 696 in 2023, remote online notary (RON) will be implemented in California by January 1, 2030 or sooner.
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 long does notary take?
In most situations, notaries can typically process a document within 10-15 minutes, including verifying your identification, any required signatures on the documents, administering oaths if needed, and recordkeeping.
Are online notary services legal?
Yes, California now allows remote online notarization. Governor Newsom signed SB 696 into law in 2023, which will take effect in 2024.
Can I be a notary in all states?
For example, some states (e.g., California) limit notaries to perform only within their home state borders, while others (e.g., Montana) may allow broader authority under certain conditions.
Which state has the most notaries?
The highpoint is Florida, with 19.0 notaries for every 1,000 people in the state. Kansas (16.4), Texas (15.1), North Dakota (15.1), and Maine (14.8) also have high numbers of notaries per 1,000 people.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
- Steady income can be difficult.
- You could be sued for a lot of money.
- Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.
What happens if you do a notary wrong?
What happens if a notary makes a mistake? The National Notary Association suggests that even the smallest mistake could have dire consequences. The notarized document could get rejected. A mistake that results in a rejection can result in late fees and penalties on the part of the client.
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?
Does it matter what state your notary is from?
Can a Notary Legally Notarize Out-of-State Documents? Yes, a notary public can legally notarize documents from any state as long as the notarial act occurs in the state in which they were commissioned.
How much do most notaries charge?
Notarization fees are regulated by California state law and are generally low-cost. So how much does a notary charge? In most cases, a California notary public may charge a maximum notary fee of $15 for each signature. This includes writing the certificate, affixing the notary stamp, and acknowledging the signature.
Do banks notarize for free?
But if you're a customer of a bank, you probably won't have to pay for the notary services. On the flip side, don't expect to notarize a document if you're not a customer of the bank. If you want to notarize a document as a non-customer, the bank can charge you around $15-20 for each document.
Can California notaries work remotely?
Does California allow remote online notaries? Yes. Starting January 1, 2024, Californians will have the option to get their documents notarized online, based on California Senate Bill 696.
What happens if a notary does not witness signature?
In fact, most state notary laws prohibit a notary from notarizing a signature if the signer is not present. Violating the personal presence requirement may result in monetary loss for the client and lead to a lawsuit against the notary or a claim against the notary's bond.
Can a California notary notarize in any county?
Yes, California Notaries have statewide jurisdiction (GC 8200).