Can I Notarize A Relative's Marriage Documents?

My niece is having a civil wedding ceremony and would like me to notarize her marriage documents. I know I can't notarize documents for immediate family members, but what about nieces? — U.C., Florida

You are not prohibited from notarizing the signature of your niece on her marriage documents. The statute only prohibits notarizing the signature of a spouse, son, daughter, mother or father (F.S. 117.107[11]).

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

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29 Comments

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Jamya Bester

23 May 2024

Can I notarize my cousins marriage license? If so, do I need to be at the court house when they get it, or just on that same day? I am in Alabama

National Notary Association

10 Jun 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.

Angie

13 Feb 2023

In Tennessee, can a family member perform a wedding ceremony and a notary sign the license?

23 Mar 2023

Please check with the marriage licenses issuing authority as to whether or not a family member can perform a wedding ceremony. The state of Tennessee indicates that a Notary should not Notarize the signature of their spouse. There are no restrictions on notarizing for other family members.

Marie brewer

22 Dec 2022

My boyfriend was married in Florida back in 2006 and the mother of the bride notarized the documents is he legally married?

11 Jan 2023

Hello. Attorney General Opinion 91-70 (1991) addresses the question, “Does [Florida law] prohibit a notary public from solemnizing the rites of matrimony of persons related by blood or marriage to the notary public? “Section 117.05(6)(d), F.S., as amended by Ch. 91-291, Laws of Florida, effective January 1, 1992, does not prohibit a notary public form solemnizing the rites of matrimony of persons related by blood or marriage to the notary public … [Note: the statute was renumbered as FS 117.107(11) in 1998.]. “Section 117.05(6)(d) [current FS 117.107(11)], … prohibits a notary public from notarizing the signature of a relative on a document. In solemnizing the rites of matrimony and certifying on the marriage license that he has solemnized the marriage, the notary is not notarizing the signature of the relative on a document. Accordingly, the prohibition … would not appear to be applicable. “Therefore, I am of the opinion that [Florida statute] does not prohibit a notary public from solemnizing the rites of matrimony pursuant to [FS] s. 117.04, F.S., as amended by s. 3, Ch. 91-292, Laws of Florida” (Attorney General Opinion, 91-70 [1991]).

Kirk

22 Apr 2022

I am a notary in Florida. Can I officiate my own wedding?

02 Jun 2022

No. You cannot notarize your own signature, which is included on a marriage certificate.

Kristina

05 Apr 2022

Hello, I was married in Florida in 2020 and am currently going through a divorce. My ex husband's mother was the notary on the marriage license. I'm looking into the laws and am wondering now if my license is even legal, and if I will have to proceed with an actual divorce?

07 Apr 2022

Hello. We're sorry, but those are legal questions that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Brieanna Fair

10 Jun 2021

Can a notary Mary off her son to her future daughter-in-law with her being an ordained minister in Idaho?

Hello. Idaho Notaries are not authorized to officiate weddings as part of their official Notary duties. We're sorry, but we do not have information regarding restrictions on ordained ministers officiating weddings for close family members.

Andy batke

13 May 2021

Can a mother of the bride notarize the marriage certificate? For Washington or Idaho?

28 May 2021

Hello. A WA Notary may not perform a notarial act with respect to a record to which the officer or the officer’s spouse or domestic partner is a party, or in which any of the above have a direct beneficial interest.(RCW 42.45.020[2]). The Washington State Notary Public Guide recommends: “While not expressly prohibited by chapter 42.45 RCW, it is also generally inadvisable for a notary to notarize a document for extended family members. A notary that performs a notarial act for a family member may be seen as having a conflict of interest in the transaction, which could call the notarial act into question” (NPG). To provide you with information regarding Idaho, can you please provide more specifics what type of notarization will be required for the marriage certificate? For example, would the Notary be performing an acknowledgment or jurat for the signature of the bride or groom on the certificate?

Stacey V Tomaselli

07 Apr 2021

Can I notarize my daughter's marriage license/certificate in the State of California?

09 Apr 2021

Hello. You would need to contact the recording office in the county where the marriage license will be filed to ask. Some counties may require you to receive special training or authorization for you to do this.

Mary

22 Dec 2020

South Carolina

29 Dec 2020

South Carolina law states that “officers authorized to administer oaths in this State … are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State.” As officers authorized to administer oaths, Notaries thereby are empowered to solemnize nuptials. The “Notary Public Online Manual” describes as follows “the procedure to follow when notarizing a marriage license: (1) First, the couple applies for a marriage license with a South Carolina Probate Court, which issues 3 copies of the marriage license. (2) The couple and the notary must sign all 3 copies. The bride should sign using her maiden name. (3) The couple keeps one copy and the notary files the other two copies with the Probate Court that issued the license.” Sample vows are provided in the “Notary Public Online Manual,” or the couple may choose a different format or even write their own vows. Specific questions about the process should be addressed to the county probate office.

21 Dec 2020

Can I notarize my brother in law’s marriage documents?

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

Ben

25 Feb 2020

My mother was the notary for my marriage certificate 15 years ago. Am I legally married?

26 Feb 2020

Hello. We're sorry, but that's a legal question that would require you to contact a qualified attorney for advice.

gillettgeneralstore@gmail.com

11 Feb 2020

Can I notorize a SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER VEHICLE? I read the document and in my opinion I think I can. Also what type document is it? Acknowledgement?

Hello. The signer must tell you what type of notarization they require-as the Notary, you may not select the type of notarization on the signer's behalf. If the signer requests a notarization that is authorized by your state laws and meets all statutory requirements, then you may perform the notarization.

Christine Flores

14 Aug 2019

what can be notarized.car titles and what else.thanks

travis_travis4512@att.net

07 Aug 2019

what are all kinds of duties can a NOTARY Profrom is TEXAS?

09 Aug 2019

Hello. Texas Notaries may perform the following notarial acts (GC 406.016[a]): • Take acknowledgments and proofs; • Administer oaths and affirmations; • Take depositions; • Certify copies of documents not recordable in the public record; • Protest negotiable instruments; • Open and inventory safe deposit boxes (Finance Code [FC] 59.109[a-2]).

Maeguerite

05 Aug 2019

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