notarize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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notarizesimple
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notarizessimple
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have notarizedperfect
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has notarizedperfect
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am notarizingprogressive
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are notarizingprogressive
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is notarizingprogressive
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have been notarizingperfect progressive
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has been notarizingperfect progressive
Past
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notarizedsimple
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had notarizedperfect
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was notarizingprogressive
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were notarizingprogressive
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had been notarizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of notarize
Explanation
You usually have someone notarize your contract when you lease a car. In other words, she'll put a special, official stamp next to your signature and her own — certifying that you are in fact you. The verb notarize is most likely to come up in a lawyer's office or when you're signing a contract, a will, or some other legal document. A person certified to notarize documents is called a "notary public," and his job is to officially swear that he saw the contract or agreement get signed. The word "notary" was originally used to mean "secretary," but around the 14th century it took on the meaning of "person authorized to authenticate."
Vocabulary lists containing notarize
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Florida notary Kimberly L. Philbrick, whose signature appears on the alleged agreement between Lisa Marie Presley and Naussany Investments, claimed in an affidavit that she did not notarize the documents.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2024
Taylor skips lunch to notarize papers and accept more closing requests, and while he’s multitasking, he calls to check on his 73-year-old dad.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 9, 2020
In order to notarize a document, the notary has to see both parties sign.
From Encyclopedia.com ● Mar. 21, 2018
To notarize the victory of his most despised rival?
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2016
To protect himself from scrutiny, the landlord declined to notarize district residency papers.
From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2014
Originally planning to get her papers notarized in the fall to finalize the sale, she watched her plan drag out.
From Slate ● Feb. 1, 2026
He and my mom made a will online that they notarized a few years ago, but I’ve been meaning to get a real elder-care attorney to make a new will or trust.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 1, 2025
He had his signature notarized to make it official.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
All three balls were authenticated by SCP Auctions through notarized affidavits and lie detector tests.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2025
She would spend the next few weeks tracking down the new form, filling it out with all the required documentation, and having it officiated and notarized.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
She rattled off a few recent expenses: notarizing documents for 4,300 euros, double normal, because her house is actually two properties.
From Slate ● Feb. 1, 2026
The judge found that the notary that signed the deed of trust from the said deal between Lisa Marie and Naussany Investment made in 2018 denies notarizing Lisa Marie Presley’s signature.
From Salon ● May 23, 2024
Immigrant rights organizations have been actively distributing and notarizing guardian slips for their children to help families prepare for such a scenario.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2017
He could be notarizing documents for someone, since he’s a notary public.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 5, 2017
We were relieved early and walked over to the chapel, where Martinez sat notarizing inmate legal documents for an hour.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
