A notarization takes about five minutes when everyone arrives prepared. When it fails, it is almost always for one of two reasons: the identification was not acceptable, or the document had already been signed.
Here is the short version of what to bring, followed by the detail behind each item.
The three things every notarization needs
- The signer, in person. Pennsylvania requires the person whose signature is being notarized to physically appear. Someone else cannot bring your document in for you.
- Current government photo identification. It must be unexpired and bear your signature.
- The complete, unsigned document. Every blank filled in except the signature line.
Identification: what works and what does not
A notary’s central legal duty is confirming you are who you claim to be. That makes identification the least flexible part of the appointment.
| Document | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania driver’s license | Yes | The most common form of proof |
| Pennsylvania photo identification card | Yes | Standard alternative for non-drivers |
| United States passport or passport card | Yes | Useful when a license has expired |
| Military identification card | Yes | Issued by any branch of the armed forces |
| Permanent resident card | Yes | Government issued with photo and signature |
| Expired driver’s license | No | Must be current |
| Photo of an ID on your phone | No | The physical document is required |
| Social Security card alone | No | No photograph, so not sufficient on its own |
No acceptable identification? Pennsylvania allows a credible witness — someone the notary personally knows, who personally knows you, and who appears alongside you with their own valid identification. Call ahead if you plan to use this route.
Why you should not sign in advance
This is the single most common reason people get turned away, and the logic is worth understanding.
Pennsylvania notaries perform several distinct acts, and they have different rules about when you sign.
| Notarial act | What it confirms | When you sign |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | That you signed willingly and understood the document | May be signed beforehand |
| Jurat or verification on oath | That you swore the contents are true | Must be signed in front of the notary |
| Signature witnessing | That the notary watched you sign | Must be signed in front of the notary |
| Certified copy | That a copy matches the original | No signature required from you |
Two of those four require the signature to happen in the notary’s presence. Since most people do not know which act their document calls for until the notary reads it, arriving unsigned costs you nothing and avoids a wasted trip.
What different documents need
Requirements vary by document type. These are the ones we see most often at our Bethlehem notary office.
| Document | Who must appear | Extra items to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle title transfer | Buyer and seller | Original title, insurance, odometer reading |
| Power of attorney | The person granting authority | Two witnesses are typically required |
| Affidavit or sworn statement | The person swearing | Nothing beyond identification |
| Parental travel consent for a minor | Both parents where applicable | Child’s details and travel dates |
| Deed or property document | All signing owners | The prepared deed, unsigned |
| Copy certification | The document holder | The original document |
Vehicle titles are a category of their own in Pennsylvania — they must be notarized, and the rules around them are unusually strict. We covered that separately in our guide to Pennsylvania’s notary requirement for car title transfers.
When you need witnesses as well
A notary is not a witness. If your document calls for witnesses — powers of attorney and certain estate documents commonly do — you need to bring them, and they must be present at the signing.
- Witnesses need their own valid photo identification.
- They generally should not be named in the document or stand to benefit from it.
- They must actually watch you sign, not sign afterward.
What it costs
Pennsylvania caps notary fees by regulation, so there is no negotiating and no surprise pricing.
| Act | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Taking an acknowledgment — first individual | $5.00 |
| Taking an acknowledgment — each additional name | $2.00 |
| Administering an oath or affirmation | $5.00 |
| Taking a verification on oath or affirmation | $5.00 |
| Witnessing or attesting a signature | $5.00 |
| Certifying or attesting a copy | $5.00 |
| Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument | $3.00 |
| Electronic or remote notarization | Up to $20.00 additional per act |
A notary may separately charge reasonable clerical costs such as copying, postage, or travel, but those must be disclosed to you before the notarization takes place — what a Pennsylvania notary is allowed to charge breaks the schedule down in full. The wording of the certificates a notary completes is published by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
What a notary cannot do for you
Understanding the boundaries saves an awkward conversation at the counter.
| Request | Can a notary do it? |
|---|---|
| Verify your identity and witness your signature | Yes |
| Administer an oath or affirmation | Yes |
| Certify a copy of a document | Yes, for most documents |
| Tell you which document you need | No — that is legal advice |
| Explain what a clause in your contract means | No |
| Notarize a document with blank spaces | No |
| Notarize a signature when the signer is absent | No |
| Certify a copy of a birth or death certificate | No — request one from the issuing agency |
If your document is connected to a vehicle, we can usually handle everything in one visit — notarization plus the state paperwork through our PennDOT agent services, including vehicle title transfers with on-site notarization.
A two-minute pre-appointment checklist
- Document complete, with every blank filled in
- Signature line still empty
- Current photo identification in hand, not a photo of it
- Every required signer coming with you
- Witnesses arranged, if the document names them
- Payment ready for the notarial fee
Frequently asked questions
Should I sign my document before going to the notary?
Usually not. For a jurat or verification on oath, you must sign in the notary’s presence, and signing early invalidates the act. For an acknowledgment you may have signed beforehand, but since most people do not know which act their document requires, the safest approach is to leave it unsigned.
What identification does a Pennsylvania notary accept?
A current government-issued photo identification bearing your signature — a Pennsylvania driver’s license, state identification card, United States passport, or military identification card are the most common. Expired identification is not acceptable.
What if I do not have photo identification?
Pennsylvania allows a credible witness. That person must personally know you, must be personally known to the notary, and must appear in person with you. They will need their own acceptable identification.
How much can a notary charge in Pennsylvania?
Fees are capped by the Department of State. Taking an acknowledgment is $5 for the first individual and $2 for each additional name, administering an oath or affirmation is $5, and witnessing a signature is $5. Electronic and remote notarizations may carry a surcharge of up to $20 per act.
Can a notary notarize a document for a family member?
Pennsylvania notaries may not notarize a document in which they have a beneficial interest, and notarizing for close family is generally discouraged because it can create the appearance of a conflict. Most notaries decline to do so.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
Walk-ins are usually fine for routine notarizations. It is worth calling ahead if you need multiple signers, several documents, or a vehicle title transfer, since those take longer and everyone involved needs to be present.
Need something notarized in the Lehigh Valley?
Walk in during business hours or call ahead for multiple signers. We have served Bethlehem and the surrounding area since 2005. Hablamos Español.