How Do You Verify a Notary?

Trust is the foundation of notarization. When you’re handing over important documents, you want to be confident that the notary in front of you is legitimate and properly authorized. The good news is, there are simple ways to verify a notary’s credentials and protect yourself from fraud.

1. Ask to See Their Commission

Every notary is issued an official commission certificate by the state. A legitimate notary should be able to show you their current commission upon request. This certificate proves they’re actively authorized to perform notarial acts.

2. Look for Their Notary Seal

Notaries are required to use an official seal or stamp that includes their name, commission number, and expiration date.

• Check that the expiration date hasn’t passed.

• Confirm that the name matches the notary in front of you.

The seal is your assurance that the notarization is official.

3. Use the State’s Online Lookup

Most states, including California, have a Secretary of State website where you can search for a notary by name or commission number. This is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to confirm whether a notary is active and in good standing.

4. Confirm Their ID

Just as a notary checks your ID, you can request to see theirs. A valid government-issued photo ID should match the name on their commission certificate and stamp.

5. Check Professional Listings

Many notaries register with professional organizations, maintain websites, or appear in business directories such as Google Business Profiles. If you can’t find any trace of them, that could be a warning sign.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

• The notary refuses to show their commission certificate.

• Their seal is missing, altered, incomplete, or expired.

• They attempt to give you legal advice about what kind of notarization you need. (Notaries are not attorneys and cannot provide legal direction.)

Final Thoughts

Verifying a notary doesn’t take long, and it gives you peace of mind knowing your documents are in the right hands. A professional notary will never hesitate to provide proof of their commission and identity.

Need a trusted notary? I’ll make sure your documents are notarized properly, professionally, and securely—contact me today.