In-person notarization

Documents commonly brought to a Texas notary.

A Texas notary performs an authorized notarial act—such as taking an acknowledgment or administering an oath—rather than approving the document itself.

Common requests

Your document may be a good fit for an in-person appointment.

The document must contain or be accompanied by the appropriate notarial certificate, and the signer or receiving party must identify the act required.

Real estate & loans

Deeds, seller or buyer documents, mortgage and refinance packages, HELOCs, loan modifications, affidavits, lien-related forms, and other closing documents.

Estate & personal planning

Powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, advance directives, trusts, wills, and related documents when properly prepared. Witness requirements may also apply.

Affidavits & sworn statements

Affidavits, verifications, sworn declarations, statements of consent, and other documents requiring an oath or affirmation.

Family, school & travel

Minor travel consent forms, school or residency forms, parental permissions, and other personal documents requiring an acknowledgment or oath.

Business documents

Contracts, agreements, corporate acknowledgments, resolutions, authorization forms, and other business records with an appropriate notarial certificate.

Eligible certified copies

Copies of certain non-recordable documents may be certified. Eligibility must be confirmed before the appointment.

Organized documents, identification card, pen, and preparation checklist

Important limits

Some requests require another source or cannot proceed.

  • Government-recorded documents: A Texas notary cannot certify copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, court judgments, or other documents whose certified copies are available from an official custodian.
  • No certificate selection or legal advice: A non-attorney notary cannot choose the notarial act, prepare the document, or advise you about its legal effect.
  • Personal appearance is required: The signer must appear in person for a traditional notarization and present satisfactory identification.
  • The document must be ready: Blank or materially incomplete documents cannot be notarized. Do not sign in advance when the signature must be witnessed.
  • Willing and aware signer: The notary may stop if the signer appears unwilling, unaware, or unable to communicate directly.

Before requesting

Three details help us prepare.

1

Ask what act is required

Confirm with the document issuer, receiving party, title company, or attorney whether an acknowledgment, jurat, or another certificate is needed.

2

Count signers and notarizations

The price depends on the number of required notarial acts and signatures—not merely the number of pages.

3

Prepare identification

Bring acceptable, current government-issued photo identification and any witnesses the document requires unless arrangements are confirmed beforehand.

Not sure whether your document qualifies? Submit a general description without private account numbers, Social Security numbers, medical details, or other sensitive information. Eligibility is confirmed before the appointment.