How Long Is a Notarization Valid?

One of the most common questions people ask after visiting a notary public is how long their notarization will remain valid. The answer depends on several factors, including the type of document, where it will be used, and the requirements of the receiving party.

The Notarization Itself Does Not Expire

Here is the key point that surprises many people: the notarization itself does not have an expiration date. When a notary applies their seal and signature to your document, that act of notarization is permanent. The notary is simply certifying that on a specific date, a specific person appeared, was identified, and signed or acknowledged the document. That fact does not change with time.

However, while the notarization does not expire, the document it is attached to may have its own validity limitations.

Document-Specific Validity Periods

Different types of documents have different shelf lives, regardless of when they were notarized:

Real Estate Documents

Real estate closing documents and property deeds typically remain valid indefinitely once recorded with the county recorder's office. However, a lender or title company may require documents to be signed and notarized within a specific timeframe, often 30 to 90 days of closing.

Powers of Attorney

A notarized power of attorney generally remains valid until the principal revokes it, becomes incapacitated (for non-durable powers), or dies. Some institutions, like banks, may refuse to honor a power of attorney that is more than a few years old and request a fresh one.

Affidavits and Sworn Statements

Affidavits do not expire in a legal sense, but courts and agencies may require them to be recent. Many government agencies prefer affidavits that are less than 6 to 12 months old to ensure the information is current.

Immigration Documents

Immigration-related documents and notarized translations for USCIS should generally be as recent as possible. USCIS does not specify an expiration for notarized translations, but submitting outdated documents can raise questions about whether the information is still accurate.

Business Documents

Business contracts and corporate filings remain valid for the term specified within the document. The notarization confirms the signatures were valid at the time of signing.

When the Receiving Party Sets the Rules

In practice, the entity requesting the notarized document often determines how recently it must have been notarized. Common examples include:

• Banks and lenders: May require documents notarized within the last 30 to 90 days.
• Government agencies: Many require notarized documents to be less than 6 months or 1 year old.
• Foreign governments: Countries requiring an apostille may have their own recency requirements.
• Courts: May accept older notarized documents but prefer recent ones for time-sensitive matters.

Always check with the receiving party about their specific requirements before getting a document notarized. This prevents the frustration of having to get the same document notarized again.

Does the Notary's Commission Expiration Matter?

A common concern is whether a notarization becomes invalid when the notary's commission expires. The answer is no. If the notary's commission was active at the time they performed the notarization, the act remains valid regardless of whether the notary's commission later expires or is not renewed. The stamp shows the commission expiration date for informational purposes, not as an expiration of the notarization itself.

When to Get Re-Notarized

You may need to have a document re-notarized in these situations:

• The receiving party requires a more recent notarization
• The document contents have changed and a new version needs signing
• The original notarized document was lost or damaged
• A signer's circumstances have changed (for example, a name change)
• The document has been amended or modified

Keep Your Notarized Documents Safe

Since notarized documents can remain valid for years or even indefinitely, proper storage is important. Keep originals in a safe deposit box, fireproof safe, or secure digital storage. Make copies for your records, but remember that only the original notarized document carries legal weight.

If you need a document notarized or re-notarized, find a qualified professional through our Los Angeles notary directory. For information about fees, visit our cost guide.