Getting a document notarized seems straightforward until something goes wrong and your paperwork gets rejected. Notarization errors can delay closings, void legal agreements, or force you to restart expensive processes from scratch. Knowing the most common notary mistakes to avoid puts you in control before you even sit down at the table.
Showing Up Without Proper Identification
Notaries are legally required to verify your identity, and they won't accept just anything with your name on it. Most states require a current, government-issued photo ID — think a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Expired IDs are almost universally rejected, even if they're only a month past their expiration date.
What to bring:
- A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
- A secondary form of ID if requested (credit card, utility bill)
- Any specific ID types listed in your document instructions
If you're unsure what your notary requires, call ahead. Showing up unprepared wastes your time and often costs you the appointment fee anyway.
Signing the Document Before the Appointment
This is one of the most common and costly notary mistakes to avoid. Many people assume they should complete the document beforehand, but a notary's job is to witness you signing. If you've already signed, the notary legally cannot notarize it in most states — you'd need to start with a fresh, unsigned copy.
Leave all signature fields blank until the notary instructs you to sign. This applies to every signer listed on the document.
Bringing an Incomplete Document
Notaries verify and witness — they don't fill in missing information. Arriving with blanks in your document is a problem. A notary cannot legally complete fields on your behalf, and in many cases, they're prohibited from notarizing a document that has obvious blank spaces where information should appear.
Before your appointment, review the document carefully and fill in every required field. If you're unsure what goes in a particular section, consult the issuing authority or a legal professional first, not the notary.
Misunderstanding What Notarization Actually Does
A notarized document is not the same as a legally reviewed or attorney-approved document. Notarization confirms that you are who you say you are and that you signed willingly — nothing more. It does not validate the contents of the document or make an otherwise unenforceable agreement legally binding.
Customers sometimes pay for notarization thinking it adds legal weight to a document that actually needs an attorney's review. Know what service you actually need before booking.
Choosing the Wrong Type of Notarization
There are several types of notarial acts, and using the wrong one can invalidate your document:
- Acknowledgment – You confirm the signature is yours; commonly used for deeds and powers of attorney
- Jurat – You sign in front of the notary and swear the contents are true; common for affidavits
- Copy certification – The notary certifies a copy matches an original document
- Oath or affirmation – A verbal sworn statement without a written document
The document you're notarizing will typically specify which act is required. If it doesn't, ask the requesting party — your bank, court, or employer — before the appointment.
Not Verifying the Notary's Commission Status
Not everyone who calls themselves a notary is currently commissioned in your state. A notary commission can expire, be suspended, or be valid only in a specific jurisdiction. Documents notarized by someone whose commission has lapsed are invalid.
Always ask for the notary's commission expiration date, or verify their status through your state's official notary database before booking. Many states offer free online lookup tools. This is especially important for high-stakes documents like real estate deeds, wills, or immigration paperwork.
Overlooking Remote or Mobile Notary Options
If convenience has been a barrier, you may not have considered that mobile notaries travel to your location, and remote online notarization (RON) is now legal in most U.S. states. RON allows you to complete the entire process via video call using an approved platform, with digital signatures and electronic seals that are legally recognized.
These options can save significant time, especially for real estate closings, business contracts, or documents involving multiple signers in different locations. Rates for mobile notaries typically run $25–$75 per appointment plus travel fees, while RON platforms often charge $15–$35 per session.
Not Comparing Providers Before You Book
Notary fees, availability, and specialization vary more than most people expect. A signing agent experienced in real estate closings is a different professional than a general notary at a shipping store. Using a platform like Mercoly to compare and find trusted Notary Public providers in one place saves you from guessing and helps you match the right professional to your specific document type.
Take five minutes to review your document, gather your ID, and confirm the correct notarial act before your appointment — it's the simplest way to make sure your paperwork goes through without a hitch.