Can a Notary Notarize a Document Already Signed?

Quick Answer:

Yes, in most cases. A notary can notarize a document you already signed if the notarization type is an acknowledgment. You appear before the notary, confirm the signature is yours, and the notary completes the certificate. You do not need to re-sign.

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A pre-signed document is one the signer has already signed before appearing before a notary. In most cases, a notary can still notarize it through a process called an acknowledgment.

NotaryLive, an online notarization platform, connects signers with licensed notaries through secure video sessions available 24/7. This guide covers how to notarize a document you already signed, what you need to bring to the session, and when re-signing is required.

Can a Notary Notarize a Document You Already Signed?

Yes, when the document calls for an acknowledgment. An acknowledgment is a notarization type where the notary does not witness you sign. Instead, you appear before the notary after signing and confirm that the signature on the document belongs to you.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s notary public FAQ on duties confirms that a previously signed document can be notarized as an acknowledgment, as long as the original signer appears before the notary and acknowledges that the signature is theirs.

The notary verifies your identity, records the acknowledgment, and affixes their seal. The document is notarized without requiring you to sign again. Acknowledgments are the most common notarization type for deeds, power of attorney forms, and real estate documents.

What Happens If the Document Requires a Jurat?

A jurat requires the signer to sign the document in the notary’s presence. The notary also administers a sworn oath or affirmation at the time of signing. A pre-signed document cannot receive a jurat because the notary must witness the actual act of signing.

If you signed before your appointment and the document calls for a jurat, you will need to re-sign in front of the notary. Jurats are most common for notarized affidavits, depositions, and sworn statements.

If you are unsure which type applies to your document, the NotaryLive guide to the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat explains both types and how to tell them apart.

What Does a Signer Need to Do With a Pre-Signed Document?

For an acknowledgment on a pre-signed document, three steps are required:

Step	What Happens
Appear before the notary	In person or via live video for a remote session
Show valid government-issued ID	The notary confirms your identity before proceeding
Verbally acknowledge the signature	You state in the notary’s presence that the signature on the document is yours

Bring the signed document to the session. The notary public completes the notarial certificate based on the acknowledgment, not on witnessing you sign.

Can You Notarize a Pre-Signed Document Online?

Yes. When you notarize online through a RON platform, the same acknowledgment rules apply as for in-person notarization. Instead of traveling to a notary’s office, you join a live video session and acknowledge your signature on camera.

Congress passed the ESIGN Act in 2000, establishing that electronic records and signatures carry the same legal weight as paper ones. RON platforms build on this federal foundation, making an online acknowledgment legally equivalent to an in-person one.

During the session, the notary verifies your identity through knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis. You then confirm your signature verbally. The notary applies a tamper-evident digital seal to the completed document.

For more on what makes a notarized document valid, see the NotaryLive guide to what a notarized document is, which covers signer requirements and common document types.

Ready to Get Your Document Notarized?

A notary can notarize a document you already signed as long as it calls for an acknowledgment. You appear before the notary, confirm the signature is yours, and the notary completes the certificate. If a jurat is required, you will need to re-sign.

NotaryLive connects signers with licensed notaries through secure video sessions, with no appointment needed.

This post was written by the NotaryLive editorial team.

About NotaryLive

NotaryLive is a leading provider of digital notarization and eSign solutions, dedicated to enhancing business efficiency through a secure, user-friendly platform that prioritizes understanding and meeting customer needs. By offering innovative tools for electronic signatures and online notarization, NotaryLive empowers professionals to manage documents easily, anywhere, any time.