Why You Need a Notary
An Idaho notary public is required to notarize a quitclaim deed — Idaho Code § 55-805 requires a deed to be acknowledged before a notary before the county recorder will accept it for recording. A notary doesn't check whether a deed is legally sound or accurate; their role is narrower and specific: they witness the signing and verify the identity of the person signing.
Without that notarized acknowledgment, a county recorder can't put the deed on the public record — no matter how correctly everything else is filled out.
Out-of-State Notaries Are Fine
Idaho recognizes acknowledgments taken by a notary public commissioned in another U.S. state or a foreign country, so long as the acknowledgment follows the notarial rules of wherever it was taken (Idaho Code § 51-111). It's still worth a quick call to your county recorder to confirm before you rely on this if your situation is unusual.
Prefer Not to Drive to a Notary?
Idaho has allowed remote online notarization (RON) since the state adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, effective January 1, 2020 (Idaho Code § 51-114A). If getting to a notary's office in person is difficult, you may be able to complete the signing over live video instead. See our online notarization page for how the process works.
Notary Stamps and Seals: What to Look For
Samples like these show what a valid Idaho notarial stamp or seal generally includes: the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," the state of Idaho, and a commission expiration date.
How to Find or Verify an Idaho Notary
Idaho Secretary of State Notary Public Search
The Idaho Secretary of State's office licenses notaries statewide and runs the official notary search tool linked above — search by name to confirm someone's commission is active. For general notary rules, the notary handbook, and stamp requirements, see the Idaho SOS Notaries, Apostilles & Authentications page.
What to Bring
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the unsigned deed — most notaries want to witness the actual signing, so don't sign it beforehand.
Notary FAQs
Can an out-of-state notary notarize my Idaho quitclaim deed?
Yes. Idaho recognizes acknowledgments taken by a notary public commissioned in another U.S. state or a foreign country, under the notarial rules of wherever it was taken (Idaho Code § 51-111). It's still worth a quick call to your county recorder to confirm before you rely on this in an unusual situation.
What do I need to bring to a notary appointment?
A valid government-issued photo ID and the unsigned deed. Most notaries need to witness the actual signing, so don't sign the deed beforehand.
How do I verify a notary's credentials in Idaho?
Use the Idaho Secretary of State's Notary Public Search tool, available at sosbiz.idaho.gov/search/notary, to confirm a notary's commission is active.
Can I notarize an Idaho quitclaim deed remotely?
Yes. Idaho has permitted remote online notarization (RON) since the state adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, effective January 1, 2020 (Idaho Code § 51-114A). See our online notarization page for how the process generally works.
Does a notary check whether my deed is legally correct?
No. A notary's role is narrower than that — they witness the signing and verify the identity of the person signing. They don't review the deed for legal accuracy or completeness.