When the Signer is a Minor

Notarizing Documents for Minors
Published June 8, 2026

Generally, notaries are not automatically prohibited from performing a signature notarial act for a minor.  (Always consult your state laws and administrative rules to check for guidelines and any prohibitions, whenever you’re faced with an unusual or rarely-encountered circumstance.) 

When notarizing for a minor, the same fundamental requirements of a notarial act performed for an adult would apply, including:

• personally knowing or identifying the minor by the methods required under your state’s notary public law and/or administrative rules; 
• assessing the minor’s apparent understanding of what they are doing and their free will in doing so, as well as their apparent mental competency;
• witnessing the minor’s signing of the document if the notarial act is an oath or affirmation… or if the notarial act is an acknowledgment, either witnessing the minor signing the document or comparing the minor’s previously-signed signature to the minor’s ID credential;
• administering the appropriate verbal ceremony for an acknowledgment or oath, depending on which notarial act is indicated in the document’s notarial certificate;
• and completing the notarial certificate.

If the minor does not satisfy you as to any/all of the requirements above, then you cannot perform the notarial act. Of those requirements, perhaps assessing the minor’s apparent understanding of what they are doing and their free will in doing so is the most challenging task to confidently complete. Much will depend on the minor’s maturity and ability to converse knowledgeably with you about what they are signing or have signed, as well as their apparent understanding of the notarial act’s verbal ceremony that you must administer. 

Minors are usually accompanied by parents. They may attempt to speak on behalf of their minor child and answer the questions you have posed to the child, but remember… the minor child is the principal signer for whom you are performing a notarial act, not that child’s parents. Explain patiently and tactfully that notarization requires direct, one-on-one communication between the notary and the named signer, period. For example, “Now, I will ask [child’s name] some important questions that only [child’s name] may answer.  I must speak directly and only with [child’s name] because only [child’s name] is the named signer of this document.”

Assuming you do proceed with notarizing, the minor would also sign your journal entry.  Recommendation – if the minor is accompanied by an adult, be sure to note that fact in your journal record and include the name of that adult.  If that adult agrees to sign somewhere in your journal record, have them do so (but you should not demand this).  You can also ask to see the adult’s identification in order to assure yourself that their ID reflects the name and signature they provide in your journal.

Always proceed carefully and thoughtfully when notarizing for any person, but especially when officiating for a potentially vulnerable person like a minor.

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