07/01/2026
The most common documents that require notarization include:Real Estate & Property Documents: Deeds, mortgages, property transfers, and commercial leases.Powers of Attorney (POA): Documents granting someone else the authority to make financial, business, or healthcare decisions.Estate Planning Documents: Wills, trusts, and living wills (often accompanied by a "self-proving affidavit").Legal Affidavits & Sworn Statements: Court affidavits, immigration documents, and identity verifications made under oath.Family & Travel Permissions: Travel consent forms for minors, temporary guardianship agreements, and custody agreements.Business Contracts: High-value vendor agreements, corporate resolutions, and authorized signer forms.Important Exceptions:Vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) cannot be notarized by a standard notary. To get a certified copy of these documents, you must request them directly from the government agency that issued them.