by There have been a lot of queries from people related to the expiration of notarized document(s). Henceforth, eNotary On Call is guiding you with the respective question and also providing a few helpful, valuable insights related to the validity of traditional, online, and electronic notarization with respect to the timeline validity. Take a ten-minute read to get all your questions related to document expiration.
Notary Expiration
A fact related to both traditional and online notarization is that the commission related to both of them has an expiration date.
Understanding the Validity Period of a Notary Public Commission
The commission has an issuing date from which there is an expiration date for four years. Therefore, from the day the applicant completes the requirement, even if before they reach the circuit court clerk. For every commission, there is an expiration date, which is shown when cross-checked.
The notary public commission is issued with a start date, from which it remains valid for four years. This validity period begins from the day the applicant completes all requirements, even if it occurs before the applicant’s submission to the Circuit Court Clerk. Each commission includes an expiration date, which is displayed for verification when needed.
Being a notary owner, it becomes their responsibility to make sure that their commission stays valid. They have the right to renew the commission if the expiration date is close.
It is to be kept in mind that until the expiration of the document, which is already notarized by any notary, it is valid. And, in a similar manner, for the online notarization service, if the document has been attested by the online notary, it will be valid till the commission is valid.
Is There an Expiration Date for Notarized Documents?
Notarizations themselves don’t expire, but the document being notarized may. For example, if you notarize a one-year lease, the notarization is valid only for the duration of the lease. The notarization remains valid as long as the notary’s commission is active, and the document hasn’t expired. This rule applies to both traditional and online notarizations—if the document or the notary’s commission expires, the notarization becomes invalid as well.
Notarized Document Types and Their Expiration
Notarized documents don’t expire on their own, but certain conditions within them, like expiration or renewal clauses, might. The notarization remains valid as long as the notary’s commission is active, but it’s important to review the document for time-sensitive clauses. If any clauses might affect validity, consult an attorney to ensure they don’t impact the notarization. For example, a lease with a 6-month refund clause may expire, but the notarization itself remains valid. Always seek legal advice for such conditions.
Validity Period of an Online Notary’s Commission
Online Notary Validity: An online notary’s commission is valid for the same period as a traditional notary’s commission.
Traditional Notary Commission: If the online notary has a traditional commission expiring sooner, the online notarization will expire with it.
Check Commission Validity: Ensure the online notary’s traditional commission is valid.
Online vs. Electronic Notarization:
Online Notarization: Fully remote, with a live video session.
Electronic Notarization: Requires physical presence, with a digital notarization stamp.
Conclusion
In conclusion, notarized documents themselves don’t expire, but their validity is tied to the document’s terms and the notary’s commission. While a notary’s commission is valid for a set period (typically four years), the document’s validity depends on any time-sensitive clauses. For online and electronic notarizations, the same rules apply: the notarization is valid as long as the notary’s commission is active and the document hasn’t expired. It’s essential to carefully review your document and consult an attorney if there are any expiration clauses. Always verify the notary’s commission before proceeding with any notarization, whether traditional or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Does a notarized document ever expire?
No, notarization itself does not have an expiration date. Once a document is properly notarized, that act remains valid indefinitely.
2.What determines how long a notarized document stays valid?
Its validity depends on two things: whether the document itself has any expiration clause (for example, a lease running for a fixed term), and whether the notarization was done by a notary whose commission was valid at the time of signing.
3.Does an online-notarized document follow the same validity rules?
Yes. For remote or online notarization, the document remains valid as long as the notary’s commission is active and the document hasn’t expired per its own terms.
4.What happens if the notary’s commission expires later?
The notarization remains valid; what matters is that the notary had a valid commission at the time of notarization. Documents already notarized do not become invalid just because the notary’s commission later expires.
5.Can a notarized document be rejected if it’s “old”?
Legally no. A notarized document doesn’t “go bad” with time. However, institutions (courts, banks, offices) might still ask for a more recent notarization if the document’s information seems outdated or context has changed.
