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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Can I Notarize In Two States If I Live Near The Border?

By NNA Staff on July 6, 2020

Hello, I just became a Notary for my job in West Virginia, which is on the border of Ohio. I actually live in Ohio.  Can I notarize in Ohio as well? — J.S., West Virginia

No. As a West Virginia Notary, you may perform official acts throughout the state of West Virginia but not beyond state borders  (WVC 39-4-10[a][1]). To be able to notarize in Ohio, you’d have to apply and be commissioned as an Ohio Notary.

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, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

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14 Comments

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Cassandra

13 Jul 2020

Can you be a licensed Notary in two states if they border each other. (i.e. DC, Maryland, Virginia)

National Notary Association

14 Jul 2020

Hello. It depends on the laws of the specific states in question. For more information, please see here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/10/faq-where-can-notaries-use-their-commissions

Renee Sammons

13 Apr 2021

I have a lot of snowbirds here. Can I notarized for them

National Notary Association

16 Apr 2021

Hello. To help us ensure we provide you with the correct information, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Renee Sammons

16 Apr 2021

Sorry I should have included my state Florida. I have a lot of snowbirds here. Can I notarized for them

National Notary Association

26 Apr 2021

Hello. Any traditional notarization you perform require the signer and yourself to be physically present together within the borders of Florida, but the signer's original place of residence does not matter. If you are authorized to perform remote online notarizations, the signer can be located anywhere, but you must be physically within Florida's borders at the time the remote online notarization is performed.

Vimala Lingam

21 Feb 2022

I live in Wisconsin, in a town neighboring Minnesota. I would like to get notarized in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Minnesota allows you to be a notary even if you live in Wisconsin. So is my coast clear?

National Notary Association

28 Feb 2022

Hello. Applicants for a commission as a Minnesota Notary Public must (MS 359.01, Subd. 1 and 2[a]: (a) Be at least 18 years of age: (b) Be a citizen or a legal resident of Minnesota; (c) Be either a Minnesota resident or a resident of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin; and (d) If a nonresident, designate the Minnesota Secretary of State as their agent for service of process.

Darlene kay Dewees

29 Apr 2022

I HAVE MY NOTARY IN WEST VIRGINIA, CAN I SIGN A DOCUMENT FROM OHIO?

National Notary Association

18 May 2022

Hello. You may notarize a document from Ohio, provided the notarization takes place in West Virginia and meets all requirements of West Virginia law.

Stephannie B

20 Jul 2022

Hello, I live in Detroit Michigan can I notarize for counties in Ohio bordering Michigan?

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2022

Hello. If you hold a Michigan commission, you may only notarize within the borders of your own state. You may not use a Michigan commission to perform notarizations while physically located in Ohio.

Eva

05 Sep 2022

I spend my time in both Oklahoma and Wisconsin can I legally hold RON Certs in both states if I apply for both

National Notary Association

07 Sep 2022

Hello. You would first need to confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements to hold a Notary commission in both states. An applicant for an Oklahoma Notary Public commission must (49 OS 1 and 49 OS 1.1; OAC 655:25-1-2[a][4] and [a][5]): (a) Be a citizen of the United States (49 OS 1); (b) Be a legal resident of Oklahoma or an out-of-state resident who is employed in Oklahoma; (c) Be 18 years of age or older; (d) Be able to read and write English; and (e) Never have been convicted of a felony. An applicant for a commission as a Wisconsin Notary Public must (WS 140.02[1]): (a) be at least 18 years old, (b) have at least the equivalent of an eighth-grade education, (c) be a United States resident (i.e., maintain a permanent dwelling place in the United States and be in fact living in this country [NPI]), (d) have knowledge and/or training with regard to the duties and responsibilities of a Wisconsin Notary, and (e) not have an unacceptable arrest or conviction record (i.e., not have been convicted in state or federal court of a felony or a misdemeanor involving a violation of the public trust, unless a pardon has been issued). Notably, an applicant does not have to be a Wisconsin resident, nor a U.S. citizen.

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