The most commonly notarized documents are powers of attorney, affidavits, real estate deeds and loan documents, contracts, bills of sale, wills and trusts, and vehicle title forms. Whether a document needs notarization, and which notarial act it needs, usually an acknowledgment or a jurat, depends on the document and on the state or agency that receives it. The table below lists common documents and services with the notarization type for each.
A List of The Most Commonly Notarized Documents
| Name | Notarization Type | Description |
| Acknowledgements | GNW | Notarial act in which a signer whose identity has been verified declares to the notary that they signed the document willingly. |
| Affidavit | GNW | Written statement signed before a Notary by a person who swears or affirms to the Notary that the statement is TRUE |
| Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title | GNW | Required to add or remove a person to a title |
| Bank Transfer Forms | GNW | Form to transfer money from one bank to another |
| Bill of Sale | GNW | A certificate of transfer of personal property |
| Contract | GNW | Legally binding document that typically involves the exchange of goods, services and money |
| Designating Beneficiaries | GNW | For Retirement Account Or Death Benefit |
| EDGAR form | GNW | Filings, registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms necessary for publicly-traded companies and certain individuals |
| Grant Deed | GNW | A document transferring ownership of property and requiring notarization |
| Handgun Permits | GNW | A license to carry a handgun on one’s person |
| Jurats | GNW | Act in which a Notary Certifies having watched the signing of a document and administered an oath or affirmation |
| Lien Release | GNW | Delivered after a Lien debt has been fulfilled |
| Living Trust (Revocable Trust) | GNW | Legal Document that establishes trust for assets you wish to transfer into it. |
US Passport for a Child (DS-11 and DS-3053) | GNW | A child under 16 applies in person with both parents or guardians using Form DS-11. If one parent cannot attend, that parent signs Form DS-3053 in front of a notary. Children under 16 cannot renew with Form DS-82. |
| Medical Authorization for Minors | GNW | Form that gives doctors to treat your child under specified conditions |
| Motor Vehicle Bill of Service | GNW | Bill sent to customer by another party billing for a motor vehicle |
| Notice of Lien | GNW | A claim on property to ensure payment of a debt |
| Power of Attorneys | GNW | Authority to act for another person in specified or all legal or financial matters |
| Promissory Note | GNW | Written promise by one party to make a payment of money at a date in the future |
| PS-1583 | GNW | Application for PO Box, Postal Box, or Virtual Mailbox |
| Signature Witnessing | GNW | Verifies authenticity of a person signing a document |
| Title Applications/Vehicle Certificate of Ownership | GNW | Legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle. |
| Travel Authorization for Minors | GNW | Form that authorizes children to travel with people other than their parents or divorced parents |
| Unclaimed Property Inquiry | GNW | Official form to inquire about possible Unclaimed Property |
| Will | GNW | Legal Document containing a person’s wishes about disposition of personal property after death; short for “last will and testament” |
| Cash | Loan | This one’s not really a loan as it is being bought cash, but it requires many of the same grouped documents |
| HELOC | Loan | A Home Equity Line of Credit, allows you to draw funds as needed and repay the money at a variable interest rate. |
| Loan Packages (as seller/borrower) | Loan | May include an Application, Credit Report, Deposit and Employment Verifications, Appraisal, Loan Estimate, Preliminary Title Report, and other Loan Documents |
| Refinance | Loan | Forms required to finance something again, usually with a new loan or at a lower rate of interest |
GNW = General Notary Work. Loan = Loan Signing Package.
Acknowledgment or Jurat: Which Does Your Document Need?
Most documents on this list need one of two notarial acts. In an acknowledgment, a signer whose identity has been verified tells the notary they signed willingly, and the document may be signed before the session. In a jurat, the signer swears or affirms that the contents are true and must sign in front of the notary, which is why affidavits usually need a jurat. The two certificates cannot be swapped, and a notary cannot choose the act for you, so check the document or ask the agency that requested it. Some agencies accept electronic notarization: the U.S. State Department accepts electronically notarized passport consent forms where state law allows.
Start your online notarization with BlueNotary.
Were there any documents that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
The Fastest Notarization Process
For the last few hundred years getting a notarization has been more or less a pain. You had to find a local notary, then arrange your schedule and finally go and travel to meet the notary.
Now things are finally changing. You can get documents notarized at the speed of the modern world. After many states adopted or expanded remote online notarization in recent years, online notarization has become a popular option for anybody looking to get their legal documents processed faster.
Online notarization companies like BlueNotary offer fast, secure document authentication and notary services from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is scan or upload a copy of your document online, agree to their terms and conditions, provide valid identity proof (such as a driver’s license and biometrics), enter payment details, and you’ll be able to get your documents notarized within minutes.
BlueNotary’s 4.9 out of 5 rating on TrustPilot show how easy and reputable their online notarization is and with 24/7 Live chat support, we’re always there to support with any questions you might have.
How Does BlueNotary Work?
Using a service like BlueNotary will save you time and money since you don’t need to find and schedule with an in-person notary. Plus, the BlueNotary platform is secure and simple.
We can break down the whole process into three steps:
- Enter your email on the front page of bluenotary
- Follow the Directions in your Email and upload your Document + ID
- Meet the Commissioned Notary and complete your signing
The entire process start to finish can take less than 10 minutes for a Notary Acknowledgement. BlueNotary even makes it easy for foreigners with their biometric identity proofing.See how an online notarization session works before you start.
Ready to get that Document Notarized? Go to BlueNotary to get started now!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What are the most commonly notarized documents?
The most commonly notarized documents include powers of attorney, affidavits, real estate deeds, mortgage documents, wills, trusts, loan agreements, business contracts, and vehicle title transfers.
2. Why do some documents require notarization?
Notarization helps verify the identity of the signer, confirms they are signing willingly, and reduces the risk of fraud. Many legal, financial, and real estate documents require notarization to be legally accepted.
3. Can I notarize documents online?
Yes. Many documents can be notarized through Remote Online Notarization (RON) using a secure video session with a commissioned notary, depending on your state’s laws and the receiving organization’s requirements.
4. What do I need to get a document notarized?
You’ll typically need the completed document (unsigned), a valid government-issued photo ID, and all required signers present. For online notarization, you’ll also need a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.
5. Are online notarized documents legally valid?
Yes. Online notarized documents are legally valid in states that authorize Remote Online Notarization and are widely accepted by banks, courts, government agencies, and other organizations, subject to applicable laws.
6. Can I sign a document before it is notarized?
It depends on the notarial act. For an acknowledgment, the document can be signed before you appear before the notary. For a jurat, you must sign in front of the notary, so wait to sign if you are unsure which act your document needs.
