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The National Notary Bulletin

Can I notarize a handwritten document?

By NNA Staff

NNA Hotline Tip Logo

Can I notarize a probate document that has handwritten paragraphs included? — S. F., Georgia

Yes, you may notarize a signature on a document that includes handwritten paragraphs. A document can be typed or handwritten. If the notarial certificate under the signature is not included, be sure to attach a loose certificate chosen by your customer. Georgia Notaries are authorized to perform acknowledgments, jurats, and witness or attest signatures.  (OCGA 45-17-8). 

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

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 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

View All: Hotline Tips

72 Comments

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Tanya

01 Oct 2024

If I have saving account and property I want to go to my children and I am remarried , not to their father, can I draw up a hand written document stating where I want everything to go to my children if I pass away , notarize it, and it be a legal document. None of this is in my husband's name and it is stuff that I had prior to our marriage or would he legally be entitled to it because we are married?

National Notary Association

01 Oct 2024

Hello. Please be aware that notarization does not "legalize" a document-it only verifies the identity of the signer. Any questions you have regarding making a document legally binding would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Net

23 Jun 2024

Hello I’m trying to get a handwritten letter notarize for a vehicle that is not quite purchased yet but it’s through a family member and will be every two weeks paid Cash. How do I get this statement notarized if hand written and can it be signed by both parties before notarized ?Louisiana Baton Rouge Area

National Notary Association

24 Jun 2024

Hello. We're sorry, but those are legal questions that would need to be answered by an authorized legal professional such as an attorney.

Sasha Martinez

15 Apr 2024

Hi, What would I put down in my journal if I'm notarizing a personal letter for someone? Example, lady brings me a handwritten letter stating that she now takes care of her mother. Would that be an acknowledgment/Personal letter? Thank you.

National Notary Association

25 Apr 2024

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Karen Allen-Gomez

26 Sep 2023

Can I notarize a handwritten letter for a pistol to be contained in a home? Would this be considered an oath?

National Notary Association

28 Sep 2023

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.

Heidi Gutierrez

21 Jul 2023

If I notarize a hand written personal statement for family court, do they just need an acknowledgment ?

National Notary Association

21 Jul 2023

Hello. You would need to contact the court or an attorney to ask what type of notarization the court requires for the document.

Sara

20 Jul 2023

I have a document that requires the signer to hand write their signature, as a E-Notary do I have to be present at the time of the handwritten signature in order for the notarization to be legal and not denied?

National Notary Association

21 Jul 2023

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.

Carl C

20 Apr 2023

Hi. My father who lives in Florida has requested upon his passing that I give he's girlfriend some money. He want's me to write it down and have it notarized. Is it that simple?

National Notary Association

21 Apr 2023

Hello. We're sorry, but for any questions about how to prepare a legal document you would need to speak to a qualified attorney.

Kerry P.

18 Apr 2023

Hi, I live in Connecticut. I've been asked to notarized a letter. Do I just sign and stamp, or should I attach an acknowledgement form?

National Notary Association

19 Apr 2023

Hello. As a Notary, you may not just 'stamp and sign' a document, and cannot choose the notarial act on the customer's behalf. The customer must tell you what notarial act they want, and once they do so you can complete and attach the appropriate certificate wording. For more information, please see this article: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2013/08/what-notarial-act-needed

Beronika

29 Jan 2023

As a step parent(not married) to have legal rights to sign up the child for school or take child to the clinic, etc. Can the father (biological) hand write a letter and get it notarized?

National Notary Association

30 Jan 2023

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

Ruth

15 Jan 2023

Can I just write out the dates I want him out of my house my son needs to come home for 2 weeks that's it no more what do are how do I write the paper 📄 up

National Notary Association

17 Jan 2023

Hello. We're sorry, but we cannot assist with the preparation of legal documents. You would need to contact a qualified attorney for assistance.

Ruth

15 Jan 2023

My son needs to come home for a couple of weeks what do I need to do to insure that he's out by than

Jessica Hughes

27 Jul 2022

Can I notarize a personal letter for my cousin in the state if Michigan with just my stamp?

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2022

Hello. Effective May 26, 2006, the Michigan Legislature repealed the use of Notary forms (Former MCL 55.289, Act 155). Effective December 12, 2018, the Michigan Legislature repealed the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act, and its several “short form” acknowledgment certificates used by Notaries and other notarial officers for decades. Recent correspondence with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office suggests that the Michigan Notary Public Act requires a Notary only to include the following requirements prescribed in MCL 55.287 for each notarial act they execute: “On each record that a notary public performs a notarial act and immediately near the notary public’s signature, as is practical, the notary public shall print, type, stamp, or otherwise imprint mechanically or electronically sufficiently clear and legible to be read by the secretary and in a manner capable of photographic reproduction all of the following in this format or in a similar format that conveys all of the same information: “(a) The name of the notary public exactly as it appears on his or her application for commission as a notary public. “(b) The statement: “Notary public, State of Michigan, County of _______________.”. “(c) The statement: “My commission expires _______________.”. “(d) If performing a notarial act in a county other than the county of commission, the statement: “Acting in the County of _______________.”. “(e) The date the notarial act was performed. “(f) If applicable, whether the notarial act was performed using an electronic notarization system under section 26A or performed using a remote electronic notarization platform under section 26b” [MCL 55-286b]” (MCL 55.287[2]).

RACHEL Jackson

19 Jun 2022

I'm in NC and it was requested that I notarize a typed document. A tenant would like to sign over his lease to a friend. The apartment manager requested a notarized statement. Where would the attached certificate be located? Should this be requested and expected by the Apartment manager?

National Notary Association

24 Jun 2022

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.

Emilio Gutierrez

31 Mar 2022

I was wondering if There was a mutual agreement between family members about a property I had them send me a letter describing that he was giving me the property but forgot to get it notarized can I get it notarized here in my state??

National Notary Association

07 Apr 2022

Hello. Any questions about preparing a legal document or a legal document's notarization requirements would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Vanessa

21 Feb 2022

Hi I have a question, can I notarize a handwritten document in Colorado and should I attached notarial certificate

National Notary Association

28 Feb 2022

Hello. There is no specific prohibition in Colorado against notarizing a handwritten document. However, the signer would need to tell you what type of notarization they want. If the document does not contain pre-printed notarial certificate wording, once the signer chooses what notarial act they want, you can complete and attach the appropriate certificate wording to the document. Please note that you cannot choose the type of notarization on the signer's behalf.

Marvy

07 Nov 2021

When they type a letter do we just sign and stamp with date no other information or do i have to attach a certificate im virginia?

National Notary Association

08 Nov 2021

“A notarial act shall be evidenced by a notarial certificate or electronic notarial certificate signed by a notary in a manner that attributes such signature to the notary public identified on the commission” (COV 47.1-16[B]).

Gary Howes

01 Jul 2021

If the notarial wording is missing, can it be handwritten in, or does it need to be typed?

National Notary Association

27 Jul 2021

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.

Sky

13 Feb 2021

In the state of Maryland do both parties have to be present to get a handwritten letter notarized?

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2021

Hello. Any person who wishes to have their signature notarized on a document would need to be present before the Notary during the notarization.

Elaine

23 Jan 2021

Hello, I am writing a letter to describe someone so they may use it in court. I know I have to sign and date it personally but Where do I go to get it notarized?

National Notary Association

26 Jan 2021

Hello. Please see this page for information on locating Notary services in your area: https://www.nationalnotary.org/resources-for/public/find-a-notary

Miriam Estrada

14 Jan 2021

Hi, I've been asked to notarized a handwritten document in Arizona. What is required to be written on that document for me to be able to notarized it?

National Notary Association

15 Jan 2021

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.

Petra Flores

06 Jan 2021

Can l just write a letter stating date and year of deceased

National Notary Association

08 Jan 2021

Hello. We're sorry, we are not completely clear from your message what your question is. Can you provide us with more details regarding your question and what state you are commissioned in, please?

Ken notary

06 Aug 2020

Hi, what is the process for getting a hand written letter notarized in NJ. Does the notary just add stamp and signature or is more info needed.

National Notary Association

07 Aug 2020

Hello. You would need to provide the Notary with instructions as to what type of notarization you wish. Notaries are not authorized to provide advice or instructions for notarizing a document. If you do not know what type of notarization you require, you will need to contact an attorney or the agency that will be receiving the document for assistance.

Michelle Ramirez

17 Jun 2020

I actually have a question: I am located in CA can i notarize a written document from one parent giving permission for a grandmother to take her son out of state.

National Notary Association

26 Jun 2020

Hello. Yes, provided that the requested notarization is permitted by CA statute and meets all requirements of California law, and you do not have a disqualifying interest in the document (such as being named as a party in the document) or would receive a disqualifying benefit from the document.

David Culpepper

11 Feb 2020

Can a notary write a court document for someone else, and then notarize that person’s signature on the document, who also is a family member in a probate case

National Notary Association

12 Feb 2020

Hello. Some states have restrictions on notarizing documents for family members. Can you tell us what state the Notary is commissioned in?

Ana

13 Dec 2019

Do notaries only notarize letters already written by others, or can they write letters for a client and also notarize it for them? State of Florida

National Notary Association

16 Dec 2019

Hello. Nonattorney Notaries are not authorized to prepare legal documents, answer questions about legal matters or give legal advice to signers.

Jordan

06 Dec 2019

Hello! I live In westchester county in NY state!!I have to get 3 character references and 1 utility bill renotarized due to the fact by the time I have my appointment with the county the commission of the notary will have expired! I have to see a new notary with the same people from the first time! They told me to get the documents renotarized and attach a letter saying why I did it! I was just wondering if I were to type or hand write a letter explaining the reasons what else has to be added to it? Just say why I had to get it renotarized and sign my signature in front of the new notary? I was worried about the wording of what i write not being the proper format! They wouldn’t tell me anymore info about how to do it because it’s for my pistol permit! Please help

National Notary Association

10 Dec 2019

Hello. We're very sorry, but the instructions you are asking for would need to be provided by the agency requesting the letter. If the agency won't provide you with instructions, we are not sure where to suggest you go for assistance. You may wish to contact the agency again and ask to speak to a supervisor.

Michael J. Snyder

06 Dec 2019

Actually I have 2 questions. 1) Am I aloud to perform a wedding ceremony on my grandson ?? 2) am I aloud to perform a wedding ceremony on my son's ex mother inlaw. In Florida??

National Notary Association

11 Dec 2019

Hello. According to Attorney General Opinion, 91-70 [1991], Florida Notaries may officiate weddings for relatives.

Ashley

03 Jul 2019

Can i give a handwritten letter giving temporary custody of my kids to my mother and have it notarized

National Notary Association

03 Jul 2019

Hello. We're sorry, but any legal questions about the validity of a custody agreement would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Savenia Hadley

15 Feb 2019

Can I give permission to have my aunt sign my signature for the sale of a property. Cause I don't live in Tacoma. Can that be notarize . Just wondering

National Notary Association

20 Feb 2019

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

Tonia McIntosh

19 Oct 2018

I am trying to notarize an hand written letter in Charlotte NC and they are telling me I need an affidavit. Why is that?

National Notary Association

22 Oct 2018

Hello. As long as the notarization being requested is lawful to perform in your state and meets all the requirements of your state's laws, you may perform it. As ministerial officers, it is not part of a Notary's duty to determine the reasons why a signer has requested a specific type of notarization for their document.

Leslie

20 Jun 2018

Can I get a typed letter notarized?

National Notary Association

20 Jun 2018

Hello. There is nothing preventing you from asking for a letter to be notarized. However, you must select the type of notarization you want-the Notary cannot choose for you. If you are unsure what type of notarization you need, you should contact the organization you are sending the letter to for instructions. If you have any legal questions about your document, please contact a qualified attorney for assistance, as Notaries cannot provide legal advice.

Elizabeth Garcia

15 Jun 2018

when you notarize a written document and have to add the certificate. In FL, do you need to add your phone number? I thought it is just the stamp, my name signed and printed and the date.

National Notary Association

18 Jun 2018

Hello. Florida Statutes 117.05[4] states that a jurat or acknowledgment certificate must include the following information: 1. The venue stating the location of the notarization in the format “State of Florida, County of ________”; 2. The type of notarial act performed, whether an oath or acknowledgment, as evidenced by the word “sworn” or “acknowledged”; 3. A statement that the signer personally appeared before the Notary at the time of notarization; 4. The true date of the notarial act; 5. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized (“It is presumed, absent such specific notation by the notary public, that notarization is to all signatures.”); 6. The specific type of identification the Notary is relying on in identifying the signer, either based on personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence; 7. The Notary’s official signature; 8. The Notary’s name – typed, printed or stamped below the signature; 9. The Notary’s official seal affixed below or to either side of the Notary’s signature. We were unable to find any requirement in the statute to enter the Notary's phone number in the certificate wording.

tejuan moye

25 Jan 2018

I have a letter sign & dated by my baby mother for custody of my son can I have this notarized to use in court.

National Notary Association

30 Jan 2018

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

tejuan moye

14 Jan 2018

I have a letter sign & dated by my baby mother for custody of my son can I have this notarized to use in court.

National Notary Association

16 Jan 2018

Hello. This is a legal question and would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

David Younce

13 Jan 2018

What if the entire* document is handwritten?

National Notary Association

16 Jan 2018

Yes, but the document would have to meet all requirements for notarization under your state law.

Dorothy M. Sloan

07 Jun 2016

I actually have a question: I recently changed my name to reflect my new married name. Do I have to up-date my notary stamp as well. I just got it too! Please respond. Thank you.

National Notary Association

07 Jun 2016

Hi Dorothy. To help us answer your question can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Susana Echeveste

06 Jun 2016

Thanks for all the info!

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