Law Library Notary Services

Information about the Law Library’s Notary Services is written out below.

Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library Notary Services

Notary services are free of charge at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library. To receive notary services, please visit the front desk, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Identification

Bring a current, valid form of government-issued identification (federal or U.S. state) that contains your photo, name, and signature. A photo/digital image of an ID cannot be accepted.

Examples of valid identification include:

  • Driver’s License

  • Identification Card

  • Temporary receipt for a Driver License or ID (actual receipt) issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety

  • U.S. Passport

  • U.S. Military ID

  • Permanent Resident ID issued by USCIS

Please note that a current foreign passport may be used only for deeds or other real estate transactions.

Signers and Witnesses

All signers must be present at the time the document is to be notarized.

If witnesses are required for notary services, they must personally know the individual requesting notarization. Law Library staff and other library patrons who are not personally acquainted with the signer may not serve as witnesses.

All witnesses must present a valid form of government-issued identification (federal or U.S. state). Please refer to the list of acceptable forms of identification above.

Documents

  • Bring all documents needing notarization.

  • Documents must be complete, ready for signature, and include a notarial certificate approved by the Texas Secretary of State . A Notary Public cannot determine the type of notarial certificate to be used. To view sample certificates from the Texas Secretary of State, please click on the following link: Sample Forms

  • The notary can attest only to documents signed in his/her presence.

  • Notaries Public will not notarize multiple original counterparts of the same document during a single notarial act. Patrons who require additional copies of a notarized document may use the Law Library Copy Center to make photocopies at the applicable copy rates.

Limitations on Notary Services

To ensure Law Library staff provides efficient service and accommodates all patrons, we reserve the right to limit or decline notary requests that would unreasonably interfere with the provision of notary services to other patrons.

Such requests may include those involving numerous documents, multiple signers or witnesses, a large number of notarial acts, or otherwise requiring an unreasonable amount of staff time.

The Law Library does not notarize the following:

  • Foreign Documents;

  • Real Property Transactions, deeds, mortgages, and refinances;

  • Financial or banking instruments;

  • Trusts; and

  • Recordable documents maintained as part of a government agency’s official records, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and divorce decrees. Certified copies must be obtained directly from the agency that is the custodian of the official record.

Need an alternative for your notarization? 

Search your area to find notaries near you: https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/sos-direct

  • Contact your bank to see if they offer free Notary services. 

  • The City of Houston’s Municipal Courts Department (MCD) now offers Public Notary Services at the Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse at 1400 Lubbock. See policy: City of Houston Municipal Courts Department - Notary / DPS Record Services

  • Search for UPS Stores or other copy shops nearby which are likely to offer these services.

Communication with the Notary Public

A Notary Public and the individual requesting notarization must be able to communicate directly with each other in a language understood by both. A third-party interpreter or translator may not be used to communicate between the Notary Public and with the individual requesting the notarization.

A Notary Public has a right to refuse or stop notarization.

Notaries will not provide service if the document(s), identification, or circumstances raise any issue of the authenticity of the identification or document, the identity or willingness of the signer, or the Notary Public’s ability to lawfully perform the requested notarial act.

The Notary Public may also decline to provide notary services when authorized by law or when the requested notarization cannot be completed in accordance with applicable law and this policy.

Additionally, Law Library staff are not required to tolerate abusive, threatening, or disruptive behavior. A Notary Public may refuse or discontinue a notarization if an interaction becomes hostile or if the Notary Public believes their safety is at risk or they are otherwise unable to proceed professionally.

A Notary Public cannot provide legal assistance.

If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. Notaries Public and Law Library staff are prohibited from providing legal advice or helping to prepare, complete, interpret, or understand legal documents.

Notary Public conduct is governed by Texas laws and regulations.

To learn more about these laws and regulations, please visit the following links:

Have additional questions? Please contact the Law Library.