Certain affidavits, deeds and powers of attorney may not be legally enforceable without notarization. Documents are notarized to protect against fraud. The notary acts as an impartial witness to the signing of legally binding documents. The notary ensures that the signer is actually the person named on the document and that they have not been forced to sign against their will. Documents that create a legally binding agreement usually need to be notarized, although this can vary according to local laws.

Documents that may require notarization are, but not limited to:

• Wills, Deeds and Trusts
• Medical Documents
• Power of Attorney
• Long-Distance Agreements (documents being sent out-of-state or out-of-country)