Law Library staff offer complimentary notary services to the public. Availability may vary based on staffing and operating hours, so we recommend contacting the Law Library in advance to confirm that a notary will be available at the time of your visit.

Documents

Law Library staff notarize English-language U.S. documents that include a notarial certificate.

We do not notarize the following:

• Foreign documents
• Wills or Trusts
• Affidavits of Non-Prosecution - contact the District Attorney's office
• Recordable documents - documents that are within a government agency's official record, hence, "recorded". Recordable documents include, but are not limited to, birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and divorce decrees. Certified copies of recordable documents may be obtained by contacting the government agency that maintains record of the document.

Bring all documents needing notarization to the Law Library:

• Documents should be complete, ready for signature, and include a notarial certificate. A Notary cannot determine the type of notarial certificate to be used. To see examples of certificates from the Texas Secretary of State.
  
• Documents must be signed in the notary's presence.
• Notaries will only notarize one original of each document requiring notarization.
  • Copies can be made after notarization

Identification

Bring a current, valid government-issued (United States or state) identification card that includes your photo, name, and signature.

Examples:

• State Driver License
• State Identification Card
• Temporary receipt for a state driver license or state identification card (actual receipt) issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety
• United States Passport
• United States Military Identification Card
• Permanent Resident Identification Card (Green Card) issued by USCIS

Note: A photograph of your identification is insufficient.

Signers and Witnesses

All signers must be present at the time the document is to be notarized.

Witnesses must have personal knowledge of the individual requesting the notarization. Accordingly, notaries and Law Library staff are not permitted to act as witnesses for library patrons. Witnesses must provide a valid government-issued (United States or state) identification card. Please refer to the above list of acceptable forms of identification.

Communication with the Notary Public

A Notary Public and the individual requesting notarization must be able to communicate directly with each other. Notaries are not permitted to use a translator to communicate with the individual requesting the notarization.

• A Notary Public Has a Right to Refuse or Stop Notarization

  Notaries will not provide service if the document, identification, or circumstances raise any issue of authenticity or uncertainty for the Law Library. The Notary Public may, at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide notary service.

• A Notary Public Cannot Provide Legal Advice

  If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. Notaries Public and Law Library staff are prohibited from providing legal advice or helping to prepare, complete, interpret, or understand legal documents.

Notary Public Conduct is Governed by Texas Laws and Regulations

To learn more about these laws and regulations, please visit the following links:

Texas Government Code Chapter 406
Texas Secretary of State Title 1 Administrative Rules
Texas Secretary of State Chapter 87 Administrative Rules
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 121