BlueNotary
Trying to figure out whether your document needs a notary – and whether you can just notarize documents online instead of tracking down someone in person? In most cases, yes: if a document legally requires a notary’s signature and seal, you can typically complete that step through a live video session with a commissioned notary, verify your identity, and get it notarized in about 10 minutes. This index breaks down which document types qualify, what each category typically needs, and exactly how the online process works from upload to signed certificate.
Which Documents Can You Notarize Online?
Most documents that require notarization – affidavits, powers of attorney, real estate closing paperwork, business agreements, and many estate-planning forms – can be handled through a service that lets you notarize documents online. A smaller set, including some wills and documents that require an in-person witness by statute, may still need a traditional in-person notary depending on your state.
Notarization touches everything from home purchases to healthcare decisions, which is part of why demand for a fast, accessible way to notarize documents online has grown so quickly. According to the National Notary Association, more than one third of U.S. notaries work in the banking, finance and mortgage industries, reflecting how much of that volume comes from real estate and financial paperwork.
| Category | Example Documents | Typically Online-Eligible? |
| Personal & family | Power of attorney, parental consent forms, affidavits, travel consent letters | Yes, in nearly all states |
| Real estate | Deeds, mortgage documents, closing packages, refinance paperwork | Yes, in most states |
| Business & finance | LLC operating agreements, contracts, loan documents, corporate resolutions | Yes, in nearly all states |
| Estate planning | Advance directives, trusts, some powers of attorney | Usually – wills are the common exception |
This table covers the broad strokes; the sections below break each category down with specific examples.
How Do You Notarize Documents Online?
To notarize documents online, you upload your file, verify your identity through an ID scan and knowledge-based or biometric check, then join a live video session where a commissioned notary witnesses your signature and applies a digital seal. The whole process, identity verification included, typically takes about 10 minutes.
- Upload your document. Most formats, including PDFs and scanned images, are accepted.
- Verify your identity. This usually combines a government ID scan with a knowledge-based or biometric check.
- Join a live video session. A commissioned notary reviews your document and verification results in real time.
- Sign on camera. The notary witnesses your signature during the session, as required by law.
- Receive your notarized file. A tamper-evident digital certificate is applied and returned to you immediately.
Personal & Family Documents You Can Notarize Online
Personal documents make up a large share of what people notarize documents online for, including powers of attorney, parental travel consent letters, and general affidavits. These documents typically just need a valid ID and a witness-free jurat or acknowledgment, which makes them well suited to a quick online session.
- General and durable powers of attorney
- Parental or travel consent letters
- Affidavits of identity, residency, or support
- Consent and release forms
If you’re not sure your document is formatted correctly, BlueNotary’s affidavit form templates page has pre-built, notary-ready versions for the most common personal filings.
Business & Real Estate Documents You Can Notarize Online
Business and real estate paperwork – LLC formation documents, contracts, loan paperwork, and most closing packages – can also be handled through an online notarization platform rather than scheduling an in-person signing for every party. BlueNotary, an online notarization platform built for both one-off signings and recurring business paperwork, supports this entire category through the same live-video verification flow used for personal documents.
- LLC operating agreements and corporate resolutions
- Vendor and service contracts
- Loan and lending documents
- Real estate deeds, refinance paperwork, and many closing documents
Businesses that notarize a high volume of documents each month typically benefit most from setting up templates in advance rather than uploading a fresh file for every signer.
How Much Does It Cost to Notarize Documents Online?
Online notarization is priced per session rather than by the hour. On BlueNotary, a notarization with one signer and one stamp costs $25 and takes about 10 minutes, with more than 20,000 certified notaries available to connect live at any time.
Extra signers, extra stamps and witnesses change the total: the $25 covers one signer and one stamp, each additional stamp is $8, each additional signer is $5, and a BlueNotary witness is $10 (bringing your own witness is free). Businesses notarizing in higher volume can compare plans on the pricing page.
BlueNotary also maintains a library of more than 100 ready-to-use document templates, which can shorten the time it takes to get from “I need this notarized” to a finished, signed file.
Ready to get your document notarized? Notarize This Document Online Now – sessions run about 10 minutes and start at $25, with more than 20,000 certified notaries available to connect live.
FAQ Section
1. Can you notarize documents online for any document type?
Most documents qualify, including affidavits, powers of attorney, contracts, and many real estate documents. A small number, like certain wills, may still require an in-person notary.
2. How long does it take to notarize documents online?
A typical BlueNotary session, including identity verification, takes about 10 minutes from upload to a completed, notarized file.
3. What does it cost to notarize a document online?
BlueNotary charges $25 for one signer and one stamp. Each additional stamp is $8, each additional signer is $5, and a BlueNotary witness is $10 (your own witness is free).
4. Do I need a template to notarize a document online?
No, but using a pre-built template can help ensure your document is formatted correctly before your session, reducing delays.
5. Can businesses notarize documents online in bulk?
Yes. Businesses handling recurring paperwork, like loan documents or contracts, can set up templates and connect with notaries on demand.
6. Which documents can’t be notarized online?
A few, such as certain wills and documents that require an in-person witness by state law. Check your state’s rules and the receiving party’s requirements before your session.
