What is a person who notarizes documents called?

Asked by: Charles Champlin  |  Last update: April 30, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (69 votes)

A person who notarizes documents is called a Notary Public, a state-commissioned official who acts as an impartial witness to verify identities, deter fraud, and certify signatures on important legal documents like deeds, wills, and contracts. They ensure signers are who they say they are and are signing willingly, often performing official acts known as notarizations.

What do you call someone that does notaries?

A person who performs official acts, like witnessing signatures on legal documents (wills, deeds, powers of attorney) and administering oaths, is called a Notary Public, often shortened to just a notary, and they are state-commissioned officials who deter fraud and verify identities. They act as impartial witnesses to ensure documents are signed willingly and correctly, making transactions official.
 

What is the official name for a notary?

notary public. A notary public is a person authorized by law to administer oaths, certify documents and signatures, and perform other official commercial duties. Notaries are frequently employed to witness and verify signatures on a range of legal documents. The term notary public is often shortened to notary.

What are the two types of notaries?

In America, the two notarial acts most often performed for a document signer are the acknowledgment; and the jurat (also called a "verification" on oath or affirmation).

What is a notarized person?

A responsible person appointed by state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Why are documents notarized? To deter fraud. An impartial witness (the Notary) ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not impostors.

The Most Common Types of Notarizations

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What do you call someone who can certify documents?

A notary public can certify a copy of a document. The notary may either attach a separate notarial certificate containing the certification or write the certification on the photocopy itself. Notarial certification will include a notary seal impression on either the notarial certificate or photocopy.

Who is authorized to notarize documents?

In the United States, all notarial acts must be performed by an actively commissioned notary public. A notary public is any individual who has received special authorization to certify document signatures from the state in which they operate.

Which type of notary makes the most money?

The Notary Loan Signing Agent (NSA) makes the most money, handling complex mortgage documents for $75-$200+ per appointment, significantly more than general notaries, with high demand in real estate; other lucrative paths include specialized services like Apostille agents, Remote Online Notaries (RONs), and mobile notaries who travel for higher fees.
 

What's higher than a notary?

Finally, Medallion Signature Guarantees are typically more expensive than Notary services. This is because the financial institution providing the guarantee assumes liability for the transaction and must have insurance to cover any losses.

What is a good name for a notary service?

Here are some more good ideas for your notary business that you might wish to consider:

  • Notary Coterie.
  • Notary Corporation.
  • Notary Spring Hill Trust.
  • Notary Management.
  • Notary InsurNow.
  • Notary ++
  • Trusted Notaries.
  • Notary Financial Planning.

What is a synonym for notarize?

verb. authenticate as a notary. “We had to have the signature notarized” synonyms: notarise. attest, certify, demonstrate, evidence, manifest.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to ensure the signer personally appears before them, which is a legal violation and can lead to fraud and major penalties, but other frequent errors involve incomplete or incorrect notarial certificates, such as missing dates, improper seal placement, illegible stamps, mismatched names, or attaching the wrong certificate type, all of which can invalidate the document. 

What is a certified notary called?

A notary public is an important part of society because of their role in the signing of legally binding documents. Being a notary public is a potentially lucrative career, but it requires specific education and training. In this article, we discuss what a notary public is, what they do and how you can become one.

What is another word for signing a document?

to write one's name on (as a document) you'll have to sign the contract for it to be legal. autographing. inking. registering. penning.

How do you list a notary public on your resume?

Skills Section: Include "Notary Public" or "Commissioner of Oaths" under the skills section, along with any specific software or notarization techniques you possess.

What are people who do notaries called?

A person who performs official acts, like witnessing signatures on legal documents (wills, deeds, powers of attorney) and administering oaths, is called a Notary Public, often shortened to just a notary, and they are state-commissioned officials who deter fraud and verify identities. They act as impartial witnesses to ensure documents are signed willingly and correctly, making transactions official.
 

What are different types of notaries?

Here's a summary of the various types of notary services and how to choose the right one.

  • Acknowledgments. ...
  • Jurats. ...
  • Oaths & Affirmations. ...
  • Copy Certifications. ...
  • Signature Witnessing. ...
  • Electronic Notarization. ...
  • Remote Online Notarization. ...
  • Get it Notarized with Talty Court Reporters.

Is a lawyer also a notary?

Yes, as long as a lawyer has been commissioned by the state they practice to perform notarization services, they can notarize a will or any other document type. Lawyers that are commissioned to perform notary services can carry out the same notarial acts as a non-lawyer notary.

What's the most a notary can charge?

How much you can charge as a notary depends heavily on your state's maximum fee schedule for basic acts (often $5-$15 per signature for acknowledgments/jurats) plus potential extra fees for ** mobile services (travel, urgency), remote online notarization (RON)**, or specialized documents, but all fees must be itemized and disclosed upfront, as some states limit charges strictly to the notarial act. 

Can you live off being a notary?

Not every NSA or mobile Notary wants to make it a full-time career. In fact, more than 61 percent notarize as a part-time gig. But even part-timers report they are doing well, reporting earnings ranging from anywhere as low as a few hundred dollars to $20,000 a month from notarizations.

What skills are needed to be a notary?

Essential Skills for Notaries

Attention to Detail: Notaries must carefully review documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Missing a signature or a stamp can invalidate an entire document. Ethical Integrity: As a notary, you will handle sensitive information and must do so without bias.

What do you say when notarizing a document?

“Do you solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the statements in this document are true and correct to the best of your knowledge?” The signer will reply, “I do” or “Yes.”

How long is a notary good for?

In most states, a notary commission lasts between four and ten years before it expires. Once a commission expires, the notary must renew their certification and obtain a new stamp to continue performing notarial acts. Here are the standard commission lengths in some states: California – 4 years.

Is being a notary a good side hustle?

Yes, being a notary is often considered a great side hustle because it offers flexibility, low startup costs (compared to some businesses), high demand for essential services, and the potential for good hourly earnings, especially as a mobile notary or loan signing agent, with Remote Online Notarization (RON) adding work-from-home opportunities.