Can I Notarize A Document With No Date?

I have been asked to notarize a document that was not dated. What do you do when a document has no date on it? — M.A., Greenfield, Massachusetts

Notaries are sometimes asked to notarize a signature on a document that has no date on it. If there is no date, you can still notarize the signature as you normally would, provided that all other requirements for notarization in your state are met. You can write down a note in the “additional information” section of your journal entry that the document did not have a date.

The date of the notarization is separate from the document date, and should be recorded in the appropriate section of the journal entry. Remember that under no circumstances are you permitted to backdate or otherwise falsify the date a signature is notarized, regardless of whether the document has a separate date on it or not.

SEE ALSO: More Tips From The NNA Hotline

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

David Thun is an Associate Editor at the National Notary Association.

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call (888) 876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

24 Comments

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Tara K

27 Feb 2024

In NJ, can i notarize a document with a past date?

National Notary Association

29 Feb 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

April

07 May 2021

Is a notary valid if it is not dated? We have a Will that has no dates on it at all, even the notary did not date it. Do you think their notary would be valid?

10 May 2021

Hello. We're sorry, but that is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Phyllis Cain

16 Jan 2021

My mother supposedly signed a notarized paper but her son in law added the date, also the signature does not match any of her previous signatures. Is it legal in the state of Ms for someone else to add the date, I was told by a notary when I have asked them to put on a date that they couldn’t the person signing the document had to add the date?

21 Jan 2021

John Teal

06 Sep 2020

Situation where undated documents are notarized but the competency of the signer is in question. Can I ask the notary when the documents were signed? (Notary is in Alabama, I am not.)

08 Sep 2020

Hello. You could contact the Notary to ask if the Notary kept a journal record of the notarization and would be willing to provide you with a copy of the journal entry. However, because Alabama does not require Notaries to keep a journal of their acts, it is not guaranteed that the Notary will have such a record.

Bonnie S.

14 Jul 2018

If a notary did not include the year she notarized a certificate of marriage, is the marriage valid?

16 Jul 2018

Hello. You would need to contact the recording office that issued the marriage certificate and speak to them to find out if the certificate is valid.

MARY-JO STERLING

05 Jul 2018

Can I notarize a POA where the person making the POA and named Agent signed in 2013, but now asked that Agent's signature be notarized?

06 Jul 2018

B.Tech

26 Jul 2017

A notary public signed and stamped an Affidavit of Service for process server but she did not enter a "sworn to before me date." and document was filed with county clerk office. Is that legal.

National Notary Assocation

27 Jul 2017

Hello. We're sorry, but we can't answer questions regarding the legality of documents. You would need to contact an attorney or the county clerk's office to answer your questions.

Massachusetts Fraudclosure Defender

04 Jul 2017

QUESTION: A purported Massachusetts Mortgage Assignment filed at the Registry of Deeds shows a month and date but the year is missing (blank) for both alleged signatory section and also for the notary's purported notarization section. This seems rather suspect of fraud. Is a purported mortgage assignment valid or void if it lacks the year anywhere within, including missing the year of the purported notarization? This seems at best to an unexecuted document, at worst an outright fraudulent document, perhaps it's both. Regardless, is it valid or void under Massachusetts law???

05 Jul 2017

Hello. We're sorry but we can't answer questions about the legality of a specific real estate document. You would need to speak with a qualified attorney about this issue.

M.Johnson

12 Dec 2016

You mention information pertaining to California. What about for Texas. I am thinking about making my own Notary Act Journal. This journal will not show address or SS#'s on DL and Exp.date. with signatures. Will this be alright. I live in Texas

Hello. We're sorry, but we were not clear from your comment if you are asking about notarzing a document with no date or about keeping a journal in Texas. Can you please clarify what information you are looking for? Thanks and we are sorry for any inconvenience. If you are an NNA member, if you prefer you can also contact our Hotline Counselors directly for assistance at Hotline@NationalNotary.org.

Hudson

05 Oct 2016

I have a document that is not dated except for the year. The notary signed the document and her commission expired before it was filed. I have contacted the notary and she has lost her journal of 20+ years. Can she sign an affidavit that her journal is lost? Thus, in my opinion the document is invalid. Is this the proper course of action?

06 Oct 2016

Hello. Normally, a notarization is valid if the Notary completed it properly while the Notary's commission is still current. If you have concerns that the situation may affect the validity or legal status of your document in some way, an attorney would be the best person to answer any questions regarding whether the document is still valid and what steps if any need to be taken.

Susy Meyer

02 Nov 2014

It's OK to Notarize a non-dated document because you're Notarizing the signature, not the doc.

tara

27 Oct 2014

In CA, I believe if the document doesn't say then you write the day you notarize it right?

28 Oct 2014

Hello Tara, You would need to enter the date the notarial act took place on the certificate wording and in your journal entry (GC Section 8206). You may make a note in your journal entry that the document itself was not dated.

Jonathan Edwards

Many documents are not dated. Makes no difference. I always put a date on my notarization, so the notarization is dated.

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