What Happens If You Lose a Notarized Document?
Losing an important document is stressful under any circumstances, and it feels especially so when that document was notarized — carrying legal weight you don’t want to have to recreate from scratch. Here’s what your actual options look like.
The Short Answer: It Depends on What Kind of Notarization It Was
For a standard in-person notarization, the notary typically doesn’t retain a copy of the full document — meaning they can’t simply hand you a replacement. What they do keep is a journal entry, a record of key facts about the transaction, which can serve as proof that the notarization occurred, even without reproducing the document itself.
For a Remote Online Notarization, the situation is often better — RON platforms typically retain the electronically notarized document itself, alongside the session recording, meaning a lost copy may actually be recoverable directly from the platform.
What a Notary’s Journal Actually Records
Florida notary journals typically include:
- The date and type of notarial act performed
- The type of document notarized (though not its full content)
- The name of the signer
- The type of identification used to verify identity
This record proves that a notarization happened and roughly what it involved — it doesn’t recreate the document’s actual content if that’s been lost.
If You Need the Document Recreated
If the underlying document itself is lost — not just your copy of the notarized version — you’ll generally need to work with whoever originally drafted it (an attorney, for a will or power of attorney) to recreate it, and then have the new version properly signed and notarized again. The old notarization doesn’t transfer to a newly recreated document; it needs its own signing and notarization.
For Remote Online Notarizations: Check the Platform First
If your document was notarized through RON, your first step should be checking with the platform (like BlueNotary) about retrieving your completed document — since these are typically stored electronically and retained for a period after the session, this is often the fastest path to a replacement without redoing anything.
Preventing This in the First Place
The simplest fix is avoiding the problem entirely:
- Scan or photograph important notarized documents immediately after signing, and store copies securely (physical and digital)
- Tell a trusted family member or executor where originals are kept, particularly for estate planning documents
- Keep a simple log of what’s been notarized and when, especially for documents you might need to reference or replace later
If You Need to Start Over
If your original notarized document is genuinely gone and needs to be redone, Easy Day Notary can notarize a fresh version once it’s been recreated — in person or through Remote Online Notary. Contact us with your situation, and we can also discuss which of your documents might benefit from switching to RON going forward, given its stronger document retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a replacement copy of a notarized document I've lost?
The notary can't reissue the document itself, since they typically don't retain a copy of the full signed document — but their journal entry confirms the notarization occurred, which can support getting the document recreated.
Does the notary keep a copy of everything they notarize?
Generally no, for standard in-person notarizations — Florida notaries keep a journal entry recording key details of the transaction, not a full copy of the document itself. Remote Online Notarizations are different, since the session and often the document are retained by the platform.
What if I need proof that a document was notarized on a specific date?
The notary's journal entry serves as that proof, even without the original document — it records the date, the type of document, and the parties involved.
Should I keep my own copy of important notarized documents?
Yes, strongly recommended — keeping copies (and letting a trusted person know where originals are stored) is the simplest way to avoid this problem altogether.