Notary Services in 2025: Costs, Duties, and Where to Get Documents Notarized

Julia Kagan is a seasoned financial and consumer journalist, formerly a senior editor at Investopedia specializing in personal finance.

What Is a Notary Public?

A notary public is an impartial, state-appointed official responsible for witnessing the signing of important legal documents and verifying the identities of the signers. Their role is crucial in deterring fraud and ensuring the authenticity of transactions such as real estate deeds, wills, affidavits, trusts, powers of attorney, and bills of sale.

Key Highlights

• Notarization is essential for many legal documents to be valid.
• To become a notary, candidates must meet age, residency, and state-specific requirements.
• The National Notary Association (NNA) offers comprehensive resources for aspiring notaries.

The Essential Duties of a Notary

Notaries perform several critical steps to validate legal documents:

• Identity Verification: Requesting government-issued photo IDs to confirm signer identities.
• Witnessing Signatures: Ensuring that all parties sign voluntarily and in the notary's presence.
• Certification: Applying an official seal or stamp and a notarial certificate to authenticate the document.

Important Note: Notaries must provide services without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or nationality.

A Brief History of Notaries

Notarization dates back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Sumeria around 2750 B.C.E., where scribes documented legal and historical records. The Roman Empire formalized the role with notarii and scribae, who attested to speeches and official documents. The first known notary was Tiro, a Roman shorthand expert.

In China, scribes played a similar role in maintaining state records and facilitating governance.

Fun Fact: Notaries accompanied Christopher Columbus on his voyages to authenticate discoveries for Spanish royalty. Notable historical figures like Mark Twain served as notaries, and President Calvin Coolidge was uniquely sworn into office by his notary father.

Steps to Become a Notary in 2024

Requirements vary by state but generally include:

• Being at least 18 years old and a resident of the commissioning state.
• Completing an approved notary education course.
• Passing a state exam.
• Submitting a notarized application along with any required fees.
• Taking an oath of office and purchasing a notary seal.

Costs typically cover training, supplies, bonding, and application fees. Individuals with certain criminal records may be ineligible.

Where Can You Notarize Documents?

Notary services are widely accessible at various locations, including:

• Post offices
• Banks and credit unions
• Real estate agencies
• Tax and accounting offices
• Public libraries and colleges
• Shipping and packaging centers

Many states now offer Remote Online Notarization (RON), allowing documents to be notarized securely via the internet, a service that gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check your state's Secretary of State website to find authorized remote notaries.

Why Are Notaries Important?

Notaries safeguard the integrity of legal documents by confirming the identities of signers and ensuring signatures are given willingly. This process helps prevent fraud and protects all parties involved in legal and financial transactions.

Costs Associated with Being a Notary in 2024

While fees vary by state, expect to pay for:

• Mandatory training courses
• Notary seals and journals
• Application and licensing fees
• Periodic renewals or re-certifications

These investments enable notaries to perform their duties professionally and within legal guidelines.

Conclusion

For thousands of years, notaries have played an indispensable role in authenticating documents and preventing fraud. Today, they continue to adapt with technology, offering both in-person and remote notarization services to meet modern needs. Whether you require a notarized document for real estate, legal matters, or personal affairs, notaries remain your trusted partners in ensuring the validity and security of your transactions.

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