10 common examples of notarized documents and when you need them
Notarization provides legal protection for all parties involved in a transaction. It verifies identities, confirms that signers understand what they're agreeing to, and creates an official record that holds up in court. But not all documents require notarization, and laws vary on a per-state basis – changing constantly.
This guide covers 10 common examples of notarized documents, from real estate transactions to healthcare directives. You'll learn what makes each document important, when notarization is required, and how modern technology like Docusign IAM has made the entire process faster and more convenient.
What makes a document notarized?
A notarized document is one that's been authenticated by a notary public. A notary public is an official appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness in signing important documents. The notarization process adds a layer of legal protection by verifying the signer's identity and ensuring they're signing willingly and with full understanding.
Notaries act as neutral third parties who verify that the person signing a document is who they claim to be, that they're signing voluntarily (not under duress or coercion), and that they understand the document's contents. This verification protects all parties from fraud and creates legal accountability.
Every notarized document contains specific components that make it legally valid. These include
The notary's signature
Their official seal or notary stamp (which includes their commission information and expiration date)
The date of notarization
The type of notarial act performed
Without these elements, the notarization isn't valid.
Acknowledgment vs. jurat
Notaries perform two main types of notarial acts. An acknowledgment confirms that the signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document (common for deeds and powers of attorney). A jurat requires the signer to swear under oath or affirmation state that the document's contents are true (common for affidavits). The type of notarization depends on the requirements of the legal document.
Traditional vs. online notarization
Notarization has evolved significantly from the days when we had to meet in person at a notary’s office, bank, or courthouse. Traditionally, it required coordinating schedules, traveling to a physical location, and signing paper documents in front of a commissioned notary. This process worked, but it often introduced delays—especially for time-sensitive documents, remote signers, or transactions involving multiple parties.
Remote online notarization allows notaries to perform their duties entirely online through secure video conferencing. Signers verify their identity through knowledge-based authentication and government ID verification, appear before the notary via video call, and sign documents electronically. The notary then applies their digital seal, creating a fully notarized document—all without anyone having to leave their home or office.
The mobile notary public market in particular reached an evaluation of $0.5 billion in 2025 alone.
10 common examples of notarized documents
The documents below represent agreements and legal instruments that frequently require notarization in both business and personal contexts. While requirements vary by state and specific circumstances, understanding when notarization is necessary helps you plan ahead and avoid delays in important transactions.
1. Power of attorney
A power of attorney (POA) grants someone else the legal authority to act on your behalf in specified matters. Notarization is required for most POAs because of the significant authority they convey. his could include managing your finances, making healthcare decisions, or conducting business transactions.
When you need this document: You'll need a notarized POA when appointing someone to handle financial matters. At the same time, you’ll want to grant healthcare decision-making authority in case of incapacity or authorize a representative to manage business operations in case you are unavailable. Real-world scenario: a business owner traveling abroad for six months notarizes a POA so their partner can sign contracts and manage banking in their absence.
Can a notary create a POA?
In short, no. notary public cannot draft or create a Power of Attorney document. Doing so would be considered the unauthorized practice of law (UPL), as notaries are strictly authorized to act as impartial witnesses rather than legal advisors. To ensure your document is legally sound, you should use a trusted template or consult an attorney before bringing the completed, unsigned form to a notary for authentication.
Download our free 2848 form to grant Power of Attorney legally.
2. Affidavits
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, confirming that the information provided is true and accurate. Because affidavits are sworn statements, they carry legal consequences if the information is false. Notarization is required to verify the signer’s identity and to witness the oath or affirmation formally.
When you need this document: You may need a notarized affidavit when submitting sworn information to a court, government agency, or financial institution. Typical situations include immigration filings, residency verification, identity confirmation, or legal disputes where written testimony is required.
3. Real estate deeds
A real estate deed is a legal document that transfers property ownership from one party to another. Notarization is required so the deed can be officially recorded with the county or local land records office. This creates a verified public record of the transfer and helps prevent ownership disputes. An unnotarized deed may not be enforceable.
When you need this document: You’ll need a notarized deed when buying, selling, gifting, or transferring real estate ownership. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and grant deeds. Notarization is required before the deed can be recorded and recognized as valid.
What is a real estate notary called?
A notary who specializes in real estate transactions is typically called a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) or a Loan Signing Agent. These professionals undergo additional certification and background screening to handle complex loan packages, ensuring that all mortgage and property documents are executed correctly for the closing process.
Start with our for-sale-by-owner purchase contract to prepare documents for recording.
4. Mortgage documents
Mortgage documents establish the legal terms of a home loan and define the borrower’s repayment obligations. They also give the lender a security interest in the property. Notarization confirms that borrowers understand the terms and are signing voluntarily. It ensures the loan documents can be enforced if needed.
When you need this document: Mortgage and deed of trust documents must be notarized when purchasing a home, refinancing an existing loan, or securing financing with real estate as collateral. Many supporting loan disclosures also require notarization, depending on the state's laws.
Facilitating a loan for a mortgage? Check out our free loan agreement template!
5. Lease agreements
Lease agreements outline the legal relationship between landlords and tenants, including rent terms, duration, and permitted use. While , it can strengthen enforceability in certain situations. Some states mandate notarization for specific lease types or lengths. Even when optional, notarization can help prevent disputes.
When you need this document: You may need a notarized lease for commercial properties, long-term residential leases, or leases that must be recorded with a local authority. Notarization is also commonly used when leases involve significant financial commitments.
Use our lease agreement template designed to meet standard legal requirements.
6. Wills and trusts
Wills and trusts document how assets should be managed or distributed after death. While notarization isn’t always required, it can make these documents easier to validate. A notarized will may qualify as a self-proving will, reducing delays during probate. Trust documents also benefit from notarization to support authenticity.
When you need this document: Notarization is often used when creating self-proving wills or formal trust agreements to simplify probate and reduce the need for witness testimony later.
7. Loan documents
Loan documents define repayment terms, interest rates, and borrower responsibilities. Notarization adds legal weight by confirming that all parties agreed to the terms knowingly and without pressure. This is particularly important when loans involve large sums or collateral. Notarized loan agreements are easier to enforce if disputes arise.
When you need this document: You may need notarized loan documents when issuing or receiving personal loans, business financing, or any loan secured by assets. Lenders often require notarization to protect their interests, while borrowers benefit from having clear, verifiable terms on record.
Use our loan agreement template to formalize lending terms.
8. Contracts and business agreements
Business contracts govern responsibilities, financial commitments, and ownership rights between parties. While notarization isn’t required for most contracts, it can strengthen enforceability for high-value or high-risk agreements. Notarization helps establish that signatures are authentic and consent was given freely. This added verification can be valuable if a contract is later challenged.
When you need this document: Notarization is often used for partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements, and contracts involving significant financial obligations. It’s also common when agreements must be submitted to lenders, regulators, or courts, where added verification is expected.
Identifying a scope of work for a business partner? Use our .
9. Medical documents
Medical documents communicate healthcare preferences and designate decision-making authority. Notarization helps ensure these documents are accepted by hospitals, physicians, and long-term care facilities. It confirms that the signer acted knowingly and voluntarily. This added assurance can prevent delays during medical emergencies.
Examples of medical documents that need notarization
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Living wills
Advance directives
Medical consent forms for minors
HIPAA release forms (in specific legal contexts)
When you need this document: You may need notarization when creating healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, or advance directives. Many medical providers require notarized documents before honoring treatment decisions, especially when the patient is unable to communicate their wishes.
10. Government forms and applications
Government agencies frequently require notarized documents to verify identity and prevent fraud. These requirements vary by agency and jurisdiction, but notarization is often mandatory for official filings. Missing notarization is a common reason applications are delayed or rejected.
Examples of government forms that need notarization
Passport applications for minors (Form DS-3053)
Immigration affidavits of support
Court petitions for name changes
Professional licensing applications
Quitclaim deeds or property transfers
Affidavits of residency
When you need this document: You may need notarization for immigration filings, court petitions such as name changes, professional licensing applications, or parental consent forms. Checking notarization requirements in advance can help avoid processing setbacks.
Creating a new LLC? Formalize it with an LLC operating agreement template.
How to get documents notarized with Docusign
Now that you know common documents requiring notarization, the next question is often how to complete the process efficiently.
Docusign Notary, powered by Docusign IAM, helps facilitate online notarization by connecting individuals and businesses with a trusted pool of commissioned notaries. Depending on your needs, you can access on-demand notaries available 24/7 or work with in-house notaries within your organization.
With online notarization, individuals can notarize a document instantly without scheduling appointments or traveling to a physical location. The process takes place entirely online, allowing signers to verify their identity, meet with a notary over live video, and complete notarization in minutes.
This approach maintains legal validity while offering greater convenience for both one-time notarizations and ongoing business workflows.
Moving forward with confidence
Conducting smart, compliant business means having the right documents available when you need them. Whether you’re preparing a power of attorney, affidavit, lease, or other notarized agreement, Docusign’s full template library gives you a reliable starting pointso you can create, sign, and notarize documents faster and with less friction.
Explore the full template library to find the document you need and get started today.