Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

notarize

American  
[noh-tuh-rahyz] / ˈnoʊ təˌraɪz /
especially British, notarise

verb (used with object)

  • notarizes,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • notarized,
    past participle,  past
  • notarizing
    present participle
  1. to certify (a document, contract, etc.) or cause to become certified through a notary public.


notarize British  
/ ˈnəʊtəˌraɪz /

verb

  1. (tr) to attest to or authenticate (a document, contract, etc), as a notary

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of notarize

First recorded in 1925–30; notar(y) + -ize

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing notarize

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:

It sounds simple, but there are other steps once you sign and notarize the paper, Saltarelli noted.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

Philbrick, for her part, submitted an affidavit in support of Keough’s lawsuit that said she did not notarize any documents involving Presley.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2024

I just needed the bank to notarize a mortgage document.

From Washington Post ● May 20, 2022

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

Free templates for power-of-attorney and health-agent documents may be available from a state agency, and those will need to be signed by a witness or notarized.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

When she mailed a notarized document overnight to her father, who lives out of state, she had to walk only a few blocks from her encampment on 7th Street.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

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 had his signature notarized to make it official.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025

He did so via an affidavit notarized in Berkeley on May 4, the day of Bush’s return appearance.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training