Notarization requirements for lease agreements differ by state. In some states, notarization isn't necessary for leases shorter than one year. For example, California does not require notarization for standard residential leases, while Ohio may require it for some lease types.
Handwritten agreements are somewhat impractical compared to typed versions. However, they are fully legal if written and formatted properly, and are preferable to verbal contracts in practically all cases.
Here's a list of standard fields that you should include in your lease agreement: Tenant information. Include each tenant's full name and contact information. Rental property description. Security deposit. Monthly rent amount. Utilities. Lease term. Policies. Late fees.
Notarization requirements for lease agreements differ by state. In some states, notarization isn't necessary for leases shorter than one year. For example, California does not require notarization for standard residential leases, while Ohio may require it for some lease types.
Does a rental agreement need to be notarized in California? No, in California law, rental agreements do not need to be notarized. It is only notarized is required by state law as long as the criteria for a valid and legally binding lease are met.
A lease does not need to be notarized to be valid.
No, signing a contract in front of a notary is not required. A notary's involvement does not make a contract somehow more binding or more enforceable than it otherwise would be. (To learn what makes a contract legally valid, see the "What makes a contract legally enforceable?" section in Understanding Contracts.)
Notary publics serve an important function by verifying the identity of someone who signs an agreement and attesting to that person's signature. Notarization can prove that a party who objects to the agreement was indeed the person who signed the contract.