Documents That Can Be Notarized using Proof

Overview

Nearly all documents can be notarized on the Proof platform. However, certain documents are restricted. These documents should either not be notarized on the platform or should be notarized only in certain circumstances. Exceptions for each document are noted.

• Documents Intended for Use Outside the United States
• Certified Copies of Certain Official Documents
• Marriage Certificates
• Wills, Codicils & Testamentary Trusts
• Documents That Appear Tampered
• Form I-9
• Documents in Which the Notary Is Named or Has a Beneficial Interest

You can also check out Where Can Documents Notarized On the Platform Be Legally Used?

Restricted Documents

Documents intended for use outside of the United States

Includes documents that are being submitted to a foreign embassy.

Certified copies of certain official documents

Many states prohibit their notaries from certifying court-issued documents or copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates.

Marriage Certificates

Notaries cannot remotely perform marriage ceremonies.

When does this restriction not apply?

This restriction does not apply to the notarization of Marriage by Proxy documents.

Wills, Codicils & Testamentary Trusts

There are nuanced execution requirements for the electronic signing and remote platform.

When does this restriction not apply?

1. Does not apply to living wills or advance health directives.
2. Does not apply to documents relating to living (inter vivos) trusts (i.e., a trust created while an individual is still living as an estate planning tool).
3. Does not apply to a signer who is a trustee of an already-established trust and is signing in their capacity as a trustee.

Documents that appear tampered

Notaries may suspect fraud or other illegal activity when asked to notarize documents that appear to have been tampered with (cross-outs, white-outs, cut and paste, etc.). Notaries hold the right to refuse to notarize these documents.

Form I-9

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not permit the use of online audio/video conference technology for the completion of this document.

Documents in which the Notary Is named or has a beneficial interest

States generally prohibit notaries from notarizing these documents.

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