What Documents Can (and can’t) be notarized in Oregon?
When you need a document notarized, it's important to understand what Oregon notaries are authorized to do—and what we're prohibited from doing. At The Notaryous LLC, we're committed to providing accurate, compliant notary services while educating our clients about the notarization process.
What Oregon Notaries CAN Do
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Oregon notaries are authorized to perform five specific notarial acts:
1. **Acknowledgments**
This is when you confirm that you signed a document willingly and that the signature is yours. Common examples include:
- Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages)
- Powers of attorney
- Business contracts
- Affidavits of consent
**Important:** You don't have to sign in front of the notary for an acknowledgment—you just need to appear before them and acknowledge that the signature is yours.
2. **Verification Upon Oath or Affirmation** (Jurats)
This requires you to:
- Sign the document in the notary's presence
- Swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the contents are true
Common documents include:
- Affidavits
- Sworn statements
- Depositions
3. **Witnessing or Attesting a Signature**
The notary watches you sign the document and confirms your identity. Unlike an acknowledgment, **you must sign in the notary's presence**.
4. **Copy Certification**
The notary certifies that a photocopy is a "full, true, and accurate" reproduction of the original document.
**What we CAN certify:**
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Passports (for international use)
- Driver's licenses
- Professional licenses
- Personal letters and contracts
**What we CANNOT certify:**
- Oregon vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees)
- Public records that have official custodians (contact the issuing agency for certified copies)
5. **Commercial Protests** (Special Authorization Required)
Only notaries who work for financial institutions or attorneys can notarize protests of commercial paper.
What Oregon Notaries CANNOT Do
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Understanding these limitations protects both you and the notary:
**We Cannot Provide Legal Advice**
Unless the notary is also a licensed attorney, they cannot:
- Tell you which type of notarization you need
- Explain what your document means
- Help you fill out legal forms
- Recommend which notarial certificate to use
**What we CAN do:** Point you to the statutory options and suggest you consult an attorney if you're uncertain.
**We Cannot Notarize Certain Documents**
- **Documents where the notary is named** or has a beneficial interest
- **Documents for our spouse** or close relatives (spouse is specifically prohibited by law)
- **Blank or incomplete documents** (all blanks should be filled in or marked "N/A")
- **Documents without the signer present** (except for Remote Online Notarization where allowed)
**We Cannot Marry You**
Unlike some states (Florida, Nevada, Montana, Tennessee, South Carolina), Oregon notaries are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
**We Cannot Notarize Photographs**
A photograph isn't a document with a personal statement and signature. However, we can notarize a statement about a photograph and use our stamp as a protection device to show the photo was attached at the time of notarization.
**We Cannot Verify I-9 Forms as a Notarial Act**
While notaries are often asked to verify I-9 Employment Eligibility forms, this is **not a notarial act**. We can do it as representatives of the hiring company, but it doesn't involve our notary seal or certificate.
Special Situations
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**Documents in Foreign Languages**
Oregon notaries can notarize documents in foreign languages **only if** they can fluently read and write that language. This is essential for:
- Completing the notarial certificate correctly
- Detecting potential fraud
- Ensuring all necessary information is captured
If you have a document in a language we don't read, we can:
- Refer you to a bilingual notary
- Notarize a translator's oath about the accuracy of an English translation
**Notarizing for Minors**
Yes, we can notarize for people under 18, but:
- They must provide acceptable ID
- We assess their awareness and willingness to sign
- We note their age in our journal
- We may ask questions to ensure they understand what they're signing
**Notarizing for People Who Cannot Sign**
If someone is physically unable to sign, Oregon law allows them to direct another person (not the notary) to sign their name. Both the signer and the person signing for them must be present.
Why These Rules Matter
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These restrictions aren't arbitrary—they exist to:
- **Prevent fraud** by ensuring proper identification and awareness
- **Protect you** from invalid documents
- **Maintain impartiality** in the notarization process
- **Avoid conflicts of interest**
- **Stay within legal boundaries** (like unauthorized practice of law)
How The Notaryous LLC Can Help
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As a mobile notary service serving the Portland/Beaverton area, we:
- Come to your location for your convenience
- Maintain detailed records to protect your notarization
- Stay current on Oregon notary law
- Offer both traditional and Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- Can handle rush requests for time-sensitive documents
**Our Specialties Include:**
- **Real estate documents** (loan signings, deeds, refinances)
- **Apostille preparation** (we can prepare your documents for international use)
- **Business documents** (contracts, corporate resolutions, powers of attorney)
- **Personal documents** (healthcare directives, affidavits)
Ready to Get Your Documents Notarized?
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If you're unsure whether your document can be notarized or which type of notarization you need, contact The Notaryous LLC. While we can't provide legal advice, we can explain the notarization process and help you understand your options.
**Serving Portland, Beaverton, and surrounding areas with professional, reliable notary services.**
📞 Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
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*The Notaryous LLC is a COBID-certified, woman-owned mobile notary and document services business. We're commissioned in both Oregon and Washington and specialize in making the notarization process convenient and stress-free.*
