To get an affidavit notarized, bring the completed but unsigned document and a valid government-issued photo ID to a notary public, verify your identity, take a verbal oath that the statements are true, and then sign the affidavit while the notary watches so they can complete the jurat and apply their seal. The appointment itself takes about ten minutes. Most failed appointments fail before the signer walks in the door, usually because the document was already signed or the ID doesn’t match.
Prepare the Affidavit First, and Do Not Sign It
Your affidavit should be fully drafted before the appointment, with your full legal name, the facts stated in the first person, and a jurat at the bottom. The jurat is the notary’s certificate, and it typically reads “subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me,” followed by space for the date, the notary’s signature, and the official seal. Attorney-drafted affidavits almost always include one. If you’re writing your own, use a jurat template for your state, because the required wording varies.
Leave the signature line blank. This is the single most common reason a notarization goes sideways. A jurat requires you to sign in the notary’s presence while under oath, so if you’ve already signed, the notary cannot perform the notarization and you’ll have to print a fresh copy. Also avoid leaving large blank sections inside the affidavit itself; a notary may refuse if there’s space that could be filled in later.
What to Bring
You need a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport all work. The name on the ID must match the name on the affidavit. Even a middle name versus a middle initial can be enough of a discrepancy for the notary to stop, so if your legal name has changed or your documents don’t line up, resolve that first.
If you have no acceptable ID, some states allow a credible witness to vouch for you. That’s someone who personally knows both you and the notary, brings their own valid ID, and takes a separate oath confirming your identity. This exists for genuine hardship, like a lost ID with a replacement pending, not for leaving your license at home. Not every state recognizes the procedure, so call ahead if you need it.
Where to Find a Notary
Notaries are more common than most people realize. Options include:
- Banks and credit unions, which often notarize free for account holders.
- Shipping and office supply stores such as The UPS Store and FedEx Office.
- Law offices, though they may charge more or limit services to clients.
- Courthouses, city halls, and some public libraries, sometimes free of charge.
- Mobile notaries, who come to you. Expect a travel fee, typically $30 to $60 on top of the standard charge.
Fees for in-person notarization are capped by state law and are usually modest, often under $15 per notarial act. Call ahead to confirm availability, price, and whether you need an appointment.
Remote Online Notarization
More than 40 states now have permanent laws allowing Remote Online Notarization (RON). You connect with a notary over a live video call, upload the document, verify your identity through ID scanning and knowledge-based questions, and sign electronically. The notary applies a digital seal and certificate.
RON platforms typically charge around $25 for the first seal, with add-on fees for extra seals or witnesses. Sessions are usually available evenings and weekends and often take under 15 minutes. Before you use RON, confirm that the court or institution requesting the affidavit will accept a remotely notarized document. Most do, but some older court rules and specific agencies still require ink on paper.
What Happens at the Appointment
The steps run in a fixed order. Understanding that order is what keeps the appointment short.
Identity Verification
You hand over the unsigned affidavit and your photo ID. The notary examines the ID, checks it hasn’t expired, and compares the name and photo to you and to the document. If there’s any doubt about who you are, the process stops here.
The Verbal Oath or Affirmation
Next, the notary administers a verbal oath or affirmation, and you choose which. An oath invokes a higher power (“Do you swear that the statements in this document are true, so help you God?”). An affirmation is the secular version (“Do you affirm that the statements in this document are true?”). Both carry identical legal weight.
Answer out loud. A nod or silence isn’t enough. Raising your right hand is traditional but not legally required in most states. What matters is that the notary asked and you gave a clear verbal “I do” or “yes.” That spoken exchange is what turns a written statement into a sworn affidavit and what exposes you to perjury penalties if the statements are false.
Signing and Sealing
Only after the oath does the notary tell you to sign, and you sign while they watch. The notary then completes the jurat by signing, printing their name, and applying their stamp or seal. Once sealed, the affidavit is sworn. Keep the original and make copies.
Why a Notary Might Refuse
A notary is legally obligated to refuse if something is wrong. Common reasons include:
- An expired ID, an ID that doesn’t match the name on the affidavit, or no ID at all.
- A document you already signed before arriving.
- A signer who can’t explain the basic purpose of the document or appears disoriented.
- Signs of coercion, such as a companion answering questions for you or pressuring you to hurry.
- Significant blank spaces in the affidavit itself.
A notarization performed on a signer who lacked capacity or was under duress can be invalidated, which defeats the point. Fix whatever caused the refusal and come back, or try another notary if the issue was a judgment call.
What Happens If You Lie in the Affidavit
An affidavit is sworn testimony in written form, and lying in one is perjury. Federal perjury charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1621 carry up to five years in prison. State penalties range from misdemeanor charges with up to a year in jail to multi-year felony sentences, depending on how material the falsehood was and whether it was tied to a court proceeding. “I didn’t think it was important” and “I didn’t read that part carefully” aren’t defenses. If you’re not sure something in the affidavit is accurate, correct the document before the appointment.
When You Don’t Need a Notary
Notaries are the most accessible option, but they aren’t the only officials who can administer the oath. Judges, court clerks, and deputy clerks can do it. Military officers can administer oaths for service members. U.S. consular officers handle affidavits for Americans abroad. If you’re already at a courthouse, the clerk’s office can often handle it on the spot.
For federal proceedings, you may not need notarization at all. Federal law allows an unsworn declaration signed under penalty of perjury in place of a traditional sworn affidavit, as long as it includes the specific language: “I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct,” followed by the date and your signature.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1746 – Unsworn Declarations Under Penalty of Perjury This has the same legal force as a notarized affidavit in federal matters. State courts generally still require traditional notarization, so check with the court or agency requesting the document before relying on the unsworn form.