Do Both Parties Need to Be Present for a Notarization?

No. Only the person whose signature is being notarized needs to appear before the notary. If a document involves multiple parties but only one of them requires notarization, the other party does not need to attend that appointment at all.

This surprises a lot of people, especially with contracts or agreements between two or more people. The notary's job is limited to verifying the identity and signature of the person seeking notarization, not overseeing the entire transaction between everyone involved.

Who actually needs to show up

If a document requires notarized signatures from two different people, both of those people need their own notarization, which can sometimes happen at the same appointment or separately, depending on scheduling. But if only one signature on a multi-party document needs to be notarized, the other signer or signers can sign on their own time, without a notary present.

A common example is a private loan agreement between two individuals where only the borrower's signature needs notarization for a specific purpose. In that case, the lender does not need to be at the appointment.

What about witnesses?

Some documents, separate from notarization requirements, call for one or more witnesses to sign as well, such as certain wills or estate documents. A notary can serve as a witness in some cases, but a notary cannot add a witness requirement to a document that does not call for one, nor can they waive a witness requirement that does exist. If your document requires witnesses, arrange for those specific individuals to be present in addition to the signer.

Always check your specific document for witness requirements before your appointment, since a notary cannot fix a missing witness after the fact.

Notarizing for more than one signer at once

When a document does require notarized signatures from multiple people, all of those signers must each appear before the notary with their own valid identification. This can often be scheduled as one appointment if everyone is available at the same time and location, which keeps things efficient for documents like joint powers of attorney or shared property agreements.

Planning a multi-signer appointment

1. Identify exactly which signatures on the document require notarization.
2. Confirm each of those signers can be present with valid, unexpired photo ID.
3. Let the notary know in advance how many signers will attend.
4. Make sure any required witnesses, separate from notarization, are also arranged.

Understanding which signature is actually being notarized

A notarial certificate attaches to one specific signature, not to the document as a whole. When you look at a multi-page contract, only the signature line paired with a notarial certificate needs the signer to appear before the notary. Other signatures on the same document, including counterparties who are simply agreeing to the terms, do not need notarization unless a separate certificate calls for it.

This is why it helps to read the document closely rather than assume every name on the page needs to be present. Look specifically for the certificate language, usually near a signature block, to see whose signature it is asking the notary to confirm.

Co-signers, co-borrowers, and joint signers

Documents with co-signers or co-borrowers, such as certain loan or property paperwork, often do require notarization from each person listed, since each of them is independently making a legal commitment. In these cases, every co-signer needs to appear with their own valid identification, either together at one appointment or separately at different times, as long as each person completes their own notarial act.

It is worth confirming ahead of time whether your specific document treats co-signers this way, since requirements vary by document type and by what the receiving party or institution expects.

When signers cannot meet at the same time or place

It is common for parties to a document to live in different places or have conflicting schedules. Since each notarization is a separate act between the notary and one signer, there is no requirement that co-signers appear together. One signer can be notarized on a Tuesday and another on the following weekend, or one in one part of New Jersey and another elsewhere in the state, as long as each appointment is scheduled and completed properly.

In these situations, it often makes sense to book two separate appointments rather than trying to coordinate a single meeting time. This keeps the process simpler and avoids the pressure of trying to align multiple calendars.

When a second appointment is the right call

If you realize partway through scheduling that not everyone who needs to be notarized can attend the same appointment, splitting the notarization into two visits is a normal and straightforward solution. This is especially common with documents that were only partially prepared, where one signer's portion is ready and the other's is not.

• A signer is unexpectedly unavailable on the scheduled date.
• One party's identification is not ready or has expired.
• The document needs to be finalized or corrected for one signer before their portion is ready.
• Signers are located in different parts of New Jersey and prefer separate meeting locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my document has three signature lines, do all three people need to be there?

Only if all three signatures require notarization. Check the document to see which lines call for a notarized signature.

Can someone sign on behalf of another party who is not present?

No. Each notarized signature must be made and confirmed by the actual person appearing before the notary.

Can a notary notarize a document for two different people at two different times?

Yes, as long as each signer completes their own notarization with the required identification.

Does the other party need to know the document was notarized?

That is a matter between the parties and their agreement, not something the notary manages.

Do co-signers on the same loan document need separate appointments?

Not necessarily. Co-signers can be notarized together in one appointment or separately, as long as each person appears with valid identification for their own notarization.

What should I tell the notary if only some parties will attend?

Let the notary know in advance exactly which signatures need notarization, so the appointment can be scheduled correctly for the person or people actually attending.

Only need one signature notarized? Let's get it done

If you are unsure who needs to attend your notarization appointment, Signed By Love Levon Notary Services can help you sort it out before scheduling. Request an appointment today.