Notarized | Notriv

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Checked against sources: October 21, 2026

Check your document, then notarize it

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5-10 minutes per document · on video · we confirm your notary and time by email

Notarized means the signer personally appeared before an officer and acknowledged executing the document for the purposes and consideration it states¹. On Notriv, a notary meets you on a live two-way video call to do this.

What does the law require to notarize a document?

To acknowledge a written instrument for recording, the signer must appear before an officer². The signer states that they executed it for the purposes and consideration expressed in it². The officer then makes, signs and seals a certificate of the acknowledgment².

The officer can accept only limited proof of identity³. This includes the oath of a credible witness personally known to the officer, or one who shows a current federal or state ID with photo and signature³. It also includes a current federal or state ID with the signer's own photo and signature³. For a deed tied to a residential real estate transaction, a current foreign passport also qualifies³.

A notarized affidavit is a written statement of facts, signed by the person making it⁴. It is sworn before an officer authorized to administer oaths, and certified under the officer's seal⁴.

Federal law treats an electronic signature as meeting a notarization requirement⁵. This applies when the signature or record ties to interstate or foreign commerce, and all other required information is attached to it⁵.

A Texas notary who is not licensed to practice law may not give legal advice⁶. They may not accept fees for legal advice either⁶.

What is a notary public?

A notary public in Texas has the same authority as the county clerk⁷.

Take acknowledgments or proofs of written instruments⁷
Protest instruments the law allows to be protested⁷
Administer oaths⁷
Take depositions under Section 20.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code⁷
Certify copies of documents not recordable in the public records⁷

How does an online notary session work?

Notriv records the video session, and keeps the recording for 5 years. Each notarization is entered in the notary journal, which is also kept for 5 years. The document is signed with the notary's digital certificate and electronic seal. The seal is checked for tampering before it is applied. Appointment times are offered every 30 minutes.

How do I get it done?

Notarizations are bought one at a time; the e-sign subscription does not include them. Pick a video time.

Upload your document on Notriv to check it and book an online notary.

Where these facts come from

1. What does it mean to acknowledge a signature: In a Texas acknowledgment form, for a natural person, "acknowledged" means the person personally appeared before the officer taking the acknowledgment and acknowledged executing the instrument for the purposes and consideration expressed in it. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026
2. What happens when you acknowledge a document: In Texas, to acknowledge a written instrument for recording, the grantor or person who executed it must appear before an officer and state that they executed it for the purposes and consideration expressed in it, and the officer must make, sign and seal a certificate of the acknowledgment with the seal of office. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026
3. How does a notary know who you are: In Texas, the officer may accept as satisfactory evidence of identity only: the oath of a credible witness who is personally known to the officer or who shows a current federal or state government ID with the witness's photo and signature; a current federal or state government ID with the acknowledging person's photo and signature; or, for a deed or other instrument relating to a residential real estate transaction, a current passport issued by a foreign country. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026
4. What is a sworn written statement: Under Texas law, unless the context shows a different meaning, an affidavit is a written statement of facts, signed by the person making it, sworn before an officer authorized to administer oaths, and officially certified by that officer under the officer's seal of office. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026
5. Can a notarization be electronic: Under federal law, when a signature or record tied to a transaction in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce must be notarized, acknowledged, verified or made under oath, the requirement is met if the authorized person's electronic signature, along with all other information other applicable law requires, is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record. · govinfo.gov · checked October 16, 2026
6. Can a notary give legal advice: In Texas, a notary public who is not licensed to practice law in the state may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026
7. What does a notary do: In Texas, a notary public has the same authority as the county clerk to take acknowledgments or proofs of written instruments, protest instruments that the law allows to be protested, administer oaths, take depositions as provided by Section 20.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and certify copies of documents that are not recordable in the public records. · statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked October 16, 2026

What Does Notarized Mean?