Nearly every document requiring notarization can be notarized on the Notarize platform. However, certain documents are restricted. These documents should either not be notarized on the platform or should be notarized only in certain circumstances. Below, you'll find a list of documents that cannot be notarized on the Notarize platform, as well as exceptions.

Restricted Documents

Documents intended for use outside the United States

This includes documents that are being submitted to a foreign embassy.

"Certified true" copies

This includes birth, marriage, death certificates, or court-issued documents.

Marriage Certificates

Notaries cannot perform marriage ceremonies.

When does this restriction not apply?

This restriction does not apply to the notarization of marriage by proxy documents.

Testamentary Trusts

Documents creating or amending a testamentary trust (i.e., a trust created when someone dies and the trust is detailed in their last will and testament) should not be notarized on the Notarize platform.

When does this restriction not apply?

This restriction does not apply to documents relating to living (inter vivos) trusts (i.e., a trust created while an individual is still living as an estate planning tool).

This restriction does not apply to a signer who is a trustee of an already-established trust and is signing in his/her capacity as a trustee.

Wills & Codicils

Wills and codicils should only be notarized by Nevada or Florida notaries.

When does this restriction not apply?

Living wills (AKA advance health care directives) are not restricted and may be notarized by notaries in any state.

Documents that Appear Tampered

Notaries who are asked to notarize documents that appear to have been tampered with (cross-outs, white-outs, cut and paste, etc.) should be concerned that they are being asked to help the signer participate in illegal or fraudulent activity. Therefore, notaries should refuse to perform the notarization and recommend that the signer return with a new clean document.

Form I-9

Online audio-video conference technology is not an acceptable method of examining documents for the purpose of Form I-9.

Documents in which the notary is named or has a beneficial interest

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