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:
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
Another option is to notarize an agreement with an estate attorney.
From Slate ● Nov. 9, 2021
I went to notarize the claim form at the bank, where they told me to go to the pharmacy, whose notary only accepted cash, sending me right back to the bank.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2021
In order to notarize a document, the notary has to see both parties sign.
From Encyclopedia.com ● Mar. 21, 2018
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
Instead, she could give him a loan, which is notarized and witnessed.
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
“But that’s still no reason to say so, Chaplain, is it?” the officer chided tartly, frowning, and picked up still one more typewritten, notarized page from the folder.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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
In a brief telephone interview, Ms. Coleman acknowledged notarizing the will.
From New York Times ● Aug. 21, 2019
Acting as the late Helen Plummer’s attorney and notarizing her will in July 2016 at Southern’s law clinic, the professor was not an individual in a purely private capacity.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 19, 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.
