A Tennessee notary public is authorized to act in any county in Tennessee and has the power to acknowledge signatures upon personal knowledge or satisfactory proof, to administer oaths, to take depositions, qualify parties to bills in chancery, and to take affidavits. T.C.A. § 8-16-112.
As long as a few basic requirements are met, the answer is absolutely yes.
You are allowed to notarize documents that are sent and /or recorded across state borders — provided, of course, that you are notarizing the document within the boundaries of your jurisdiction. It doesn't matter where the documents will be recorded as long as you are following the Notary laws for your state.
You cannot become a notary if you: Serve in the military. Are a member of Congress or hold an office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state or the United States. Have been convicted of bribery, larceny or certain other offenses unless your rights of citizenship have been restored.
A Notary has the power to administer oaths and take depositions, affidavits, and acknowledgments. A Notary's powers and duties can be exercised in all counties in the State of Tennessee.
So, can a notary public notarize out-of-state documents? The short answer is yes, notary publics are legally allowed to notarize documents from any state as long the notarial act is conducted within the geographical boundaries of the notary's state of commission.
Yes, online notary is legal in Tennessee pursuant to Title 8, Chapter 16, Part 3 of the 2021 Tennessee Code. Tennessee law also recognizes and accepts online notarizations performed by out-of-state notaries under their state rules. (see Tennessee Code Title 66. § 66-22-103, § 66-22-107, and § 66-22-110.)
The Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, Notary Section, coordinates the issuance of commissions with your County Clerk. If you have completed the steps outlined here and do not receive your commission in three to four weeks, you will need to contact the state at (615) 741-3699.
Jurisdictional Issues A notary must understand which notarial acts are authorized in each jurisdiction. For example, some states (e.g., California) limit notaries to perform only within their home state borders, while others (e.g., Montana) may allow broader authority under certain conditions.
You cannot become a notary if you: Serve in the military. Are a member of Congress or hold an office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state or the United States. Have been convicted of bribery, larceny or certain other offenses unless your rights of citizenship have been restored.