Many people assume a notarization has an expiration date — but here’s the surprising truth: a notarization itself does not expire.
What does expire is often the document, the signer’s authority, or the receiving agency’s acceptance rules. Understanding this distinction can help you avoid unnecessary re-notarizations and rejected documents.
The Short Answer
A notarization is valid as of the date it was properly performed.
There is no universal expiration date for a notarization under U.S. law.
Once a document is correctly notarized:
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The notary’s act remains valid
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Even if the notary’s commission later expires
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Even years after the notarization date
What Notarization Actually Certifies
A notarization confirms that on a specific date:
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The signer appeared before the notary
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The signer’s identity was verified
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The signer was willing and aware
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The proper notarial act was completed
The notary does not certify:
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The document’s future validity
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That the document remains current forever
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That the document will always be accepted
What Does Cause Problems Over Time
While notarization itself doesn’t expire, these things can:
The Document
Some documents have built-in time limits:
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Affidavits (often must be recent)
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Powers of attorney (may become stale)
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Financial or loan documents
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Court filings
Receiving Agency Rules
Banks, courts, lenders, and government agencies may require:
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Notarization within a specific time frame (e.g., 30–90 days)
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Updated certificates
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Fresh signatures
These are agency rules, not notary law.
Authority or Status Changes
A notarized document may become unusable if:
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A power of attorney is revoked
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A signer dies (for certain documents)
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A business dissolves
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Laws or regulations change
The notarization remains valid — but the document’s legal effect may not.
Real Estate Documents and Time Sensitivity
Real estate documents often appear time-sensitive because:
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Recording deadlines exist
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Lenders impose freshness requirements
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Market conditions change
However, if a deed was properly notarized, the notarization itself remains valid — even if recording is delayed (subject to local rules).
What About Online (RON) Notarizations?
Remote Online Notarizations follow the same validity principles:
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The notarization does not expire
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The electronic certificate remains valid
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Acceptance depends on agency rules
RON does not shorten or extend notarization validity.
Common Myths About Notarization Validity
❌ “My notarization expired because the notary’s commission expired.”
✔ False — validity is based on the date of notarization.
❌ “All notarized documents expire after one year.”
✔ False — there is no universal expiration.
❌ “I must re-notarize because it’s old.”
✔ Not necessarily — check with the receiving agency first.
When You Should Re-Notarize
You may need a new notarization if:
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The document was altered after notarization
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The receiving agency requires a recent date
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A signature needs to be re-executed
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The document was rejected for other reasons
How to Avoid Problems
Before notarizing:
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Ask where the document will be submitted
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Confirm timing requirements
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Don’t assume older means invalid
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Keep copies of notarized documents
Conclusion
The notarization itself does not expire — but documents, authority, and acceptance rules often do. Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and frustration.
At Looking Glass Runners Notary, we help clients understand whether their notarized documents are still usable or need updating — ensuring everything is accepted the first time.
