Notarization means a Notary Public, the public official commissioned by the State, serves as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official acts related to verifying the identities of the signers and their signing of important documents. Then the notary will sign and stamp the document with a seal. Documents that are notarized are usually used in the US.

The simplest way to notarize a document is to go to your bank. Most banks provide free notarization services for their clients, or for a small fee.

Click 🔗here to learn how notaries complete the notary process, which is instructive for preparing your documents.

In some states, notaries can notarize documents in a foreign language if they understand the language and can communicate directly with the client. However, the notary’s statement must be in English. Please refer to this table to confirm.

To avoid delays, please make sure that the notarized document includes the following seven items.

1. Notarial statement/wording

2. The date of the notarial act

3. The location of the notarial act in the city or county where notarization occurs

4. The expiration date of the notary’s commission

5. Notary’s signature

6. Notary’s registration number

7. Photographically reproducible notary seal/stamp

Please note that Vital Records (birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates) and court documents cannot be notarized by a notary in most states. You'll need to request certified copies of those documents.

In practice, improper notarization may result in invalid documents or rejection of subsequent authentication requests. This will cost the applicant extra time and money.

Traditional notarization services require the signer to appear in person before the notary. This service is only available when you can visit our office located in Manassas, VA 20109.

In most states, publicly recorded documents (vital records) can not be notarized by a notary public. These may include,

• Birth certificates.

• Death certificate.

• Marriage certificates.

• Divorce decrees/certificates.

• Court documents.

• Corporate documents on file with the State Corporations Division.

• Federally issued documents.