Does a Notarization Expire?
A notarized document from five years ago: is it still good? Usually the notarization is; the question is whether the document, or the person receiving it, has its own time limit.
Home Notary Guide Does Notarization Expire?
Quick answer
No. A California notarization doesn’t expire. The notarial certificate remains valid indefinitely, even after the notary’s commission expires, because it records something that happened on a specific date. What can “expire” is the document itself (for example, a power of attorney that ends on a date) or a recipient’s rule about how recent a document must be (common for passport consent forms, foreign governments, banks and FBI checks).
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Notarization vs. document vs. recipient
| What | Does it expire? |
|---|---|
| The notarization (certificate) | No |
| The notary’s commission | Every four years, but past notarizations stay valid |
| The document | Only if its own terms or the law give it an end date |
| An apostille | No, but foreign authorities may want recent documents |
| Recipient requirements | Often: many want documents notarized or issued within the last 3 to 6 months |
When recency matters
- Passport consent (DS-3053): get it notarized close to the application date.
- Powers of attorney: a durable POA doesn’t lapse with time, but banks sometimes balk at old ones; a certified copy or a fresh POA can help.
- Documents for foreign governments: many require documents issued, notarized or apostilled within a recent window.
- FBI background checks: usually must be recent; see FBI background check apostille.
- Loan documents: lenders set signing windows.
If your notary’s commission has expired since
That doesn’t affect a notarization performed while the commission was valid. If someone questions it, a copy of the journal entry (requested in writing from the notary, or from the county clerk if the notary’s records were turned in) shows the notarization happened.
Common questions
How long is a notarized document valid in California?
The notarization doesn’t expire. The document is valid for as long as its own terms and the law allow, and recipients may want recent documents.
Is my notarized document invalid if the notary’s commission expired?
No. A notarization performed during a valid commission stays valid after the commission ends.
Do apostilles expire?
No, but many countries only accept recently issued or apostilled documents.
Related guides
- Notary MythsBlue ink, “notarized means legal,” expiration, copies and more.
- Power of AttorneyDurable, financial and limited POAs: notary vs. witnesses, recording and copies.
- California Apostille GuideThe full California process, from the right copy to the Secretary of State.
- Form DS-3053Statement of Consent when a parent can’t appear for a child’s passport.
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