How Do I Get a Notarized Letter or Document? A notarized letter or document is certified by a notary public — a licensed public officer who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and establishes the authenticity of the signatures. A notary's signature and seal is required to authenticate the signature on your letter or legal document. To verify your identity, the notary will ask you to present a current identifying document with a photograph, physical description and a signature, such as a driver's license, military ID or passport. Please do not sign the document in advance; signatures must be witnessed by the notary. On campus, the Office of the General Counsel (Marquette's legal staff) can notarize documents. Please call (414) 288-7343 to schedule an appointment to ensure that a notary is available to assist you. The Office of the General Counsel is located in O'Hara Hall, Room 015. In addition, banks, credit unions and U.S. Postal Offices generally have a notary available to certify your signature. Also, you can visit a clerk or deputy clerk of a court of record, a court commissioner, a register or deputy register of deeds, a judge, or a county or deputy county clerk.