What is the Difference Between a Document Being Commissioned Versus Notarized?

People often use the terms notarized and commissioned interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The difference matters, especially depending on where your document is going and who is asking for it.

Commissioned Documents

When a document is commissioned, a commissioner of oaths is confirming your identity and witnessing your signature or declaration. A commissioned document does not have a seal. Instead, it includes:

• the commissioner’s signature

• the date of commissioning

• the location where it was commissioned

The requirements to become a commissioner are more limited and narrow than those for a notary public. A commissioner’s authority is generally restricted to specific types of documents or uses.

Notarized Documents

When a document is notarized, it includes everything listed above and a notary public’s seal. Most people call this a stamp, but it is technically a seal—an official imprint placed on the document.

A document with a notary public's seal can typically go further than a document that is only commissioned. In practice, a notary public’s seal is often required for documents that are going to a foreign country.

Whether your document needs to be commissioned or notarized depends entirely on the instructions from the party requesting it. When in doubt, always confirm what they require before getting your document authenticated.