Does it matter where you get a notary?
Asked by: Johnnie Bashirian | Last update: July 17, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (19 votes)
So, can a notary public notarize out-of-state documents? 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.
Does it matter if the notary is from a different state?
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.
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.
Where is the best place to get a notary?
If you need to visit a Notary during regular business hours, you can usually find notarial services at banks, libraries, and mailbox/photocopy shops. Other businesses with Notaries on-site include: FindaNotary.com. AAA and UPS Stores.
Are all notaries the same?
While every type of Notary Public shares the same core duties, the format of the documents they notarize and the location where the transaction occurs are the biggest differences between them. Traditional Notaries and Mobile Notaries may perform in-person electronic notarizations (IPEN).
Got you Notary Commission... now What??
Does it matter where the notary is from?
So, can a notary public notarize out-of-state documents? 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.
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.
Can a notary notarize anywhere?
Yes, California Notaries have statewide jurisdiction (GC 8200).
How much does UPS Store charge to notarize?
For example, here in California, our UPS store charges $15 per notary signature.
Does every post office notarize?
Does US Post Office have a notary? No, the US Post Office does not have a notary on staff to provide notarization services. US Post Office employees are employed by the federal government and do not have the authority to provide state-level services such as document notarization.
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.
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.
What makes a notary 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 an online notary notarize in another state?
Under the California Civil Code 1189(b), a notarial certificate from another state is valid as long as it complies with the laws of that state. Currently, California does not allow its own notaries to perform remote online notarization.
In which of the following situations should a notary decline to complete a notarization?
- 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.
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.
Where is the cheapest place to get a notary?
Banks, universities, and hospitals often provide free notarization services for their clients or those in need. Q2. How can I get documents notarized at a low cost? Consider low-cost options like the post office, law firms, or online notary services like BlueNotary for affordable rates.
Do banks offer notary services?
Most banks have notaries that provide the service for free for their customers and for a fee for non-customers. A document is notarized when a third party, known as a notary public, verifies your identity and witnesses you signing the document.
How long does notarization take?
How long does notarization take? In-person notarization can take as little as 15 minutes if your documents are prepared and identification is ready.
Does it matter where a notary is located?
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.
Does it matter what state a 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.
Can I notarize a document from another county?
A notary public for CA can notarize for the entire state. The county is only significant because it determines the notary's jurisdiction for administrative purposes, such as filing their commission and ensuring adherence to local regulations.
Does Chase offer notary services?
Chase Bank offers free notary services to its clients. As a non-customer, you can still visit a nearby branch of the Chase Bank to inquire about the fees and requirements to avail notary services.