In the US, Notarization is a critical step in ensuring the authenticity and legality of documents. Whether for admission, business, or legal purposes, notarization has become an important part of maintaining the credibility and compliance of individuals and organizations. 

According to the latest data, more than 1.25 billion documents are notarized in the US every year. The report further highlights that the number of notarization increases rapidly in the US. Since notarization is an important step in every place, major reforms have taken place in the category. 

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One of them is the digitalization of notarization into an online platform. Yes, now the US citizen can authorize the document online without leaving their place. So whether you are in the US or Mexico, notarise rising, your documents from the US notary are easier than ever. However, one of the most common questions that arises among the individual is:

Can a U.S. citizen have their documents notarized by any notary public in the United States? The short answer is YES, but there are important considerations and legal aspects to remember. Let’s dive into the world of Notarization and understand everything in detail

Notary Jurisdiction: Everything You Need to Know About it!

As per the data from the National Notary Association, there are a total of 4.4 million notaries in the US. The data highlights how the total number of US notaries remarkably grew over the years, ensuring the proper document notarization and verification.

A notary public is commissioned at the state level, meaning they can only notarise documents within the state where they are authorized. However, there are no restrictions on where the singer is from. This means a U.S. citizen from any state can get their documents notarised by a notary in another state, as long as the notary follows their own state’s laws.

Each state in the US follows specific rules and regulations which govern the operation of notaries. All regulations are made in order to maintain the legality of notarization, as they protect individuals and businesses from potential fraud. One can go through the rules and regulations of notarization by checking the official site of National Notary Association.

Now, as a notary public, you might be questioning whether you are authorized to notarize documents of your out-of-the-state clients. Many times, the notary public might face such an issue where his/her client is from a different state, and needs notarization from you. 

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For example, A client may create/receive a document in New York and then travel to Florida to request a notarization. Moreover, as online notarization has become accessible and people are using the RON Platform for document notarization, an individual might connect with a different state notary, or a notary might need to verify and notarise a different state citizen, but that is legally acceptable. So, you don’t need to cancel your online notarization because any state notary is eligible to notarize your documents. 

So, if you are wondering whether a notary public is legally eligible to notarise out-of-state documents? Then, Yes.

Notary publics in the US are officially permitted to notarize the documents of any US state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary’s state of commission.

Going back to the example mentioned above, a notary public who’s commissioned in Florida can notarize a document that was created in New York, so long as the act is done in Florida. The notary public can not travel to New York to perform a notarial act unless he or she is commissioned in New York.

Conclusion

A U.S. citizen can get documents notarized by any commissioned U.S. notary, provided that the notarization takes place within the notary’s authorized state and follows the appropriate legal guidelines. As Remote Online Notarization (RON) became accessible to every citizen, the process has become even easier, allowing U.S. citizens to notarise documents from anywhere across the globe. Now, a student studying in Germany can notarize his/her documents from a US Certified notary remotely.

If you are looking for a hassle-free notarization experience, consider using eNotary On Call, where certified notaries can assist you anytime, anywhere! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can any U.S. citizen get documents notarized by any U.S. notary public?

A U.S. citizen can generally have documents notarized by any commissioned U.S. notary public, regardless of citizenship or location, as long as the notarization is done in accordance with the notary’s state laws and jurisdiction. 

2. Does the notary have to be in the same state as the signer?

For traditional in-person notarization, the notary must be physically located in the state that issued their commission. The signer must appear before the notary in that same state or within a jurisdiction that allows mutual recognition. 

3. Can a notary from one state notarize a document for someone in another state?

If the notarization is done remotely (Online Notarization / RON) and the notary’s state allows online notarization, a notary from that state can notarize documents for someone located in another state or even abroad. The rules of the notary’s home state must be followed, not the signer’s location. 

4. Do U.S. notaries only notarize documents for U.S. citizens?

U.S. notaries can notarize for any person, including non-U.S. citizens and foreigners, as long as the signer meets the identification and presence requirements of the notary’s jurisdiction. U.S. embassies/consulates can also provide notarial services abroad. 

5. Can a document notarized in one U.S. state be used in another state?

Yes, most states recognize notarizations performed in another state as long as the notarial act is valid under the laws of the state where the notarization occurred. This is true for both traditional and many online notarizations.