Which Divorce Documents Need to Be Notarized?

Divorce paperwork is hard enough emotionally without also being confused about which documents actually need a notary’s involvement. Here’s a clearer picture, so at least the administrative part feels more manageable.

Documents That Commonly Require Notarization

• Financial affidavits — sworn statements of income, assets, and expenses, required in most Florida divorce cases
• Marital settlement agreements, in many jurisdictions — though this varies by county, so it’s worth confirming specific local requirements
• Certain property transfer documents, if real estate or vehicles are being divided as part of the settlement
• Affidavits related to custody or parenting plans, in some cases

Documents That Typically Don’t Need Notarization

• The initial divorce petition — usually just requires a signature
• Most routine case filings and motions
• Parenting plans themselves, though associated affidavits sometimes do require it

Since requirements can vary somewhat by county and specific circumstances, confirming with your attorney or the court’s specific filing requirements is worth doing before assuming either way.

Notarize Your Divorce Documents

Financial Affidavits: Usually the Big One

If there’s one document almost universally requiring notarization in Florida divorce cases, it’s the financial affidavit — a sworn statement of your income, expenses, assets, and debts. Because it’s sworn under oath, it follows the same jurat-style notarization as other affidavits, meaning you’ll need to sign it in the notary’s presence, not beforehand.

Handling Notarization When Spouses Aren’t on Good Terms

This comes up often enough to address directly: notarization doesn’t require both spouses to be present together, even for documents connected to the same case. Each person can have their own signature notarized separately — different appointments, different notaries if preferred, even different formats (one in person, one remote). There’s no requirement for a joint signing session unless a specific document calls for it.

Can One Notary Handle Both Spouses’ Documents?

Generally, yes, without any conflict of interest — a notary’s role is verifying identity and witnessing each individual signature, which doesn’t create a problem just because both people happen to be involved in the same legal matter. Some people prefer using separate notaries during a divorce simply for personal comfort, which is entirely reasonable, but it’s not a legal requirement.

Using Remote Online Notary During Divorce

Remote Online Notary can be particularly useful during divorce proceedings — it removes any need for both parties to coordinate an in-person meeting or even be in the same physical space, which can reduce friction during an already difficult process.

A Note on Timing

Divorce paperwork often comes with court deadlines, so getting documents notarized promptly rather than letting them sit matters more here than for many personal documents. If you’re working against a filing deadline, mention that when scheduling so it can be prioritized appropriately.

Getting Your Documents Notarized

Whether it’s a financial affidavit, settlement agreement, or another divorce-related document, Easy Day Notary can help — contact us to confirm your specific document’s requirements, or schedule an appointment to get it handled.

Notarize Your Divorce Documents