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Notary Bulletin

May I Type Or Write The Notarial Wording On A Document?

By NNA Staff on November 23, 2015

NNA Hotline Tip logo

I’ve been asked to notarize a power of attorney document. The receiving agency does not want a certificate attached. Can I type or copy the notarial wording at the bottom of the document if there is room to do so? — J.A., Redding, California

Yes, if there is enough room on the document after the signature line, you may type, print, or stamp the appropriate California notarial certificate wording on the document. Please remember to include all words of the certificate, including the boxed notice statement required by law, directly above the venue.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST

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10 Comments

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Dawn Batchelor

23 Nov 2015

For the state of Oregon can I type or copy the notarial wording at the bottom of the document if there is room to do so?

National Notary Association

23 Nov 2015

Hello. Yes. However, the signer must instruct you as to what type of notarial act is desired-you may not choose the notarial wording on the signer's behalf.

debra.l.volm@boeing.com

30 Nov 2015

Can I type or handwrite the notarial wording at the bottom of a document if there is room for the State of South Carolina?

National Notary Association

01 Dec 2015

Hello. You could type the notarial wording on the document provided the signer instructs you what notarial act is needed and there is room so the wording could be typed without obscuring any of the document text. The signer should check with the receiving agency beforehand to confirm if this is acceptable or if the receiving agency would prefer an attached notarial certificate stapled to the document.

Irvin Dinkins

30 Nov 2015

This is good information to know. As a notary I have always wondered about this very question. Irvin Dinkins Philadelphia, PA Presidential Notary Service www.presidentialnotaryservice.webs.com

William Cademy

04 Dec 2015

I don't know - I have heard of California county clerk offices rejecting documents that don't have the necessary wording in a box on the top of the form with the exact wording. Sometimes they even reject it because it isn't in a box. Best advice is to use an attached certificate. If it isn't accepted, there's something shady going on.

julia m george

10 Dec 2015

How about for Ohio please? Thank you.

National Notary Association

18 Dec 2015

Hello. Because each Ohio county has its own commissioning and disciplinary guidelines, you may wish to contact your county's court of common pleas for their recommendation. You can find a list of contact numbers for each county online at: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/recordsIndexes/Notary/new/CountyContacts.aspx

Kiley Walgren

05 Mar 2021

What about Utah? Can I handwrite the notorial wording at the bottom of a document?

National Notary Association

11 Mar 2021

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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