What Does a Notary Do? A Complete Guide to Notary Services

Quick answer: A notary public is a state-commissioned official who verifies your identity, witnesses your signature, and certifies that you signed willingly. They do not provide legal advice or prepare documents. Notarization creates a legal record that deters fraud.

What a Notary Public Actually Does

A notary performs a small number of specific legal functions, all centered on one goal: confirming that the person signing a document is who they claim to be and is signing voluntarily.

Here is what happens during a typical notarization:

Verifies your identity — You present a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID). The notary checks that the photo matches your face, the name matches the document, and the ID is not expired.
Confirms willingness — The notary confirms you understand what you are signing and are not being coerced or pressured by anyone.
Witnesses your signature — You sign the document in the notary’s physical presence (or via video call for remote online notarization).
Completes the notarial certificate — The notary fills in the notarial wording on the document, signs, and applies their official stamp or seal.
Records the transaction — In states that require a journal, the notary logs the details of the notarization, including your name, ID type, document type, date, and fee charged.

That is the entire process. A standard notarization takes five to ten minutes.

Types of Notarial Acts

Not all notarizations are the same. The document or situation determines which type of notarial act is needed.

Acknowledgment

The most common type. You acknowledge to the notary that you signed the document voluntarily and that the signature is yours. Used for deeds, powers of attorney, trusts, and most real estate documents.

Jurat (Oath or Affirmation)

You swear or affirm under oath that the contents of the document are true. The notary administers the oath before you sign. Used for affidavits, sworn statements, and court filings.

Copy Certification

The notary certifies that a photocopy of an original document is a true and accurate reproduction. Used for diplomas, transcripts, passports, and other documents where the original cannot be surrendered.

Signature Witnessing

The notary witnesses you signing a document but does not verify the document’s contents. Less common, but used in some states for specific document types.

What a Notary Cannot Do

Understanding what notaries cannot do is just as important:

Cannot provide legal advice. A notary is not a lawyer. They cannot tell you whether to sign, explain legal terms, or recommend changes to a document.
Cannot prepare legal documents. Drawing up a will, deed, contract, or power of attorney requires an attorney — not a notary.
Cannot notarize their own signature. A notary cannot act as both signer and notary on the same document.
Cannot notarize without the signer present. You must appear before the notary in person (or via live video for RON). No one can bring your document to a notary and have it notarized on your behalf.
Cannot notarize for family members in many states. See our guide on whether a notary can notarize for family.
Cannot certify the truthfulness of a document’s contents. The notary verifies your identity and willingness — not whether the document’s statements are accurate.

Important note for immigrants: In the U.S., a “notary public” is not a “notario” (attorney). In many Latin American countries, a notario is a licensed legal professional. In the U.S., notaries have no legal training requirements. See our notary vs. notario explainer for more.

When Do You Need a Notary?

You typically need notarization for documents that involve significant legal or financial commitments:

Document	Why Notarization Is Required
Real estate deeds	Proves the seller voluntarily transferred ownership
Power of attorney	Prevents someone from forging authority over your affairs
Wills and trusts	Adds a layer of fraud protection to estate documents
Loan and mortgage documents	Required by lenders to verify borrower identity
Affidavits and sworn statements	Creates a legal record that contents were sworn under oath
Business formation documents	Required by many states for articles of incorporation
Car title transfers	Required in some states to prevent title fraud
Medical directives	Ensures the signer’s wishes are authenticated

For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide on when you need a notary and documents that require notarization.

Where to Find a Notary

You have several options depending on your budget, schedule, and how quickly you need the document notarized:

Free options:

Your bank or credit union — Most offer free notary services to account holders. Call ahead to confirm a notary is available.
Your employer — Many large companies have a notary on staff in HR or legal.

Paid options:

Mobile notary — A notary who travels to your home, office, or other location. Costs $50 to $150 total. Best for after-hours, weekend, or time-sensitive needs.
Storefront notary — UPS Store, FedEx Office, and shipping stores often offer walk-in notary services for $5 to $15.
Remote online notarization — Video call notarization for $25 to $50. Available in most states.
Loan signing agent — Specialized for real estate closings. Paid by the title company, not you.

For pricing details, see how much a notary costs.

How to Become a Notary

If you are interested in becoming a notary yourself, requirements vary by state but generally include:

Being at least 18 years old
Being a legal resident of the state
Passing a background check (most states)
Completing a training course (some states)
Passing an exam (some states, including California)
Purchasing a notary bond and stamp
Filing an application with the Secretary of State

See our state-specific guides: California · Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · Georgia · New Jersey · Ohio. Or start with our general guide to becoming a notary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a notary the same as a lawyer?

No. A notary public verifies identity and witnesses signatures. A lawyer provides legal advice, drafts documents, and represents clients. Some lawyers are also notaries, but notarization alone does not involve legal counsel.

Do both parties need to be present for notarization?

Not necessarily. Each signer must appear before a notary, but they do not need to appear at the same time or before the same notary. See our guide on whether both parties need to be present.

Can I get a document notarized online?

Yes, through remote online notarization (RON). You connect with a notary via video call, verify your identity digitally, and sign using an electronic signature. RON is legal in most states. See our guide to online notarization.

How long does notarization take?

A standard notarization takes 5 to 10 minutes. Complex documents like real estate closings with multiple signatures may take 30 to 60 minutes. The biggest variable is usually travel time if using a mobile notary.

What ID do I need?

A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. passport are universally accepted. Some states accept military IDs or foreign passports with additional verification.

Find a notary near you: Search by city on FindNotary.io to find notaries in your area — or browse by service type: mobile notary, bank notary, storefront notary, or remote online notarization.

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