Does My Contract Need To Be Notarized?

We get this question a lot. Most documents don’t need to be notarized.

Notarization provides proof that the person named on the document actually signed it. Notarization is most often used for documents that are filed in a court or other government office (such as deeds or mortgages), affidavits or other sworn statements, powers of attorney and the like. Often, personal guaranties or pledges of collateral (security agreements) are signed and notarized, to make it easier to enforce them upon a default of the underlying loan.

You can always have a contract notarized to give it more solemnity and to impress upon the parties the seriousness of the transaction, but notarization is not always required to make a document enforceable.