5 Things You Need for a Successful Notarization in Washington State

Getting a document notarized shouldn’t be stressful! As a Washington State Notary, my job is to make the process smooth, legal, and hassle-free. But what does it take to ensure a notarization appointment is successful every time?

Here’s what you need to know:

Personal Appearance is Required

The signer must appear in person before the notary. This is non-negotiable. Whether it’s an in-person notarization or an online notarization, I need to verify identity, willingness, and awareness. Remote notarizations may be an option, but personal appearance, either physically or virtually, is always required.

The Document Must Be Ready

Before notarization, I’ll do a quick check to ensure:

The document has no blank spaces that could lead to fraud.
It contains the necessary notarial wording (if missing, I can attach the correct certificate).
The name on the ID matches the name in the document.

What I CANNOT do:

Tell you which type of notarization you need (but I can explain your options!).

Read the document’s details-my job is to verify the signing, not review the content.

Give legal advice-only attorneys can do that!

Valid Identification is Required

Washington State law requires proper ID to confirm identity. Acceptable forms include:

Driver’s License or State ID
U.S. Passport
Other approved government-issued IDs

What if the signer doesn’t have valid ID? In some cases, we may use credible witnesses who personally know the signer and can vouch for their identity.

The Notary Keeps a Record

A journal entry is required or strongly recommended for every notarization. This protects both the signer and me by providing a legal record in case there are ever questions about the signing.

Completing the Notarial Certificate

Every notarization includes a certificate confirming what I did. If the document doesn’t have pre-printed notarial wording, I’ll ask the signer what type of notarization is required, and I can attach the correct certificate.

A few key details must always be correct: