Can a notary notarize their own documents?

A notary cannot notarize their own documents due to the inherent conflict of interest that arises from performing a notarial act on one’s own behalf. The fundamental purpose of notarization is to provide an impartial verification of the signing process and the identity of the signer. When a notary attempts to notarize their own signatures or documents, it eliminates the impartiality that is essential to the role.

Notarization relies on the notary being an objective witness to the signing process. This requirement helps to prevent fraud and ensures that the notarial act is valid and trustworthy. Notarizing one's own documents does not align with the ethical standards set for notaries, as they are expected to uphold a commitment to impartiality and objectivity.

In various jurisdictions, this principle is firmly established in notary law and practice. It clearly reinforces the necessity of having a guardian of the transaction—someone who is not personally benefiting from the act—overseeing the notarization. This promotes confidence in the integrity of official documents and transactions.