Notarization
Notarization is the official process by which a licensed notary public verifies the identity of signers, witnesses the signing of a document, and affixes their seal to confirm the document's authenticity.
What it means
Notarization serves as a fraud deterrent and is required for many high-stakes documents including real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and wills. The notary independently verifies that all signers are who they claim to be, are signing voluntarily, and are of sound mind. In the digital world, electronic notarization and remote online notarization (RON) have emerged as legally recognized alternatives.
Why it matters for e-signatures
Many e-signature platforms, including SignOwl, handle documents that do not require notarization. For those that do, SignOwl integrates with RON providers so the entire process — signature and notarization — can happen online.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Which documents commonly require notarization?
Real estate deeds, mortgage documents, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, affidavits, and certain court documents typically require notarization.
Can a notarized document also be e-signed?
Yes. Remote online notarization (RON) combines electronic signatures with a notary performing identity verification via video call, creating a fully digital notarized document.
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