How Long Does It Take?
Short answer: for a single document, usually 5 to 15 minutes once the notary is in front of you. But the full picture depends on what you're getting notarized — and a few things that are easy to get wrong can stretch that considerably.
Here's what actually drives the timeline.
The notarization itself is fast
The act of notarizing — checking your ID, watching you sign, completing the notarial certificate, applying the stamp — takes just a few minutes per document. For a single-page affidavit or a straightforward power of attorney, you're looking at 5 to 10 minutes at the table, sometimes less.
Multiple documents take proportionally longer, but the process is the same each time. Five documents might take 20 to 30 minutes. It's linear.
Loan signings are a different category
If you're signing a mortgage, refinancing, or closing on a home equity loan, plan for 45 minutes to an hour. These packages typically run 100 to 200+ pages and require signatures, initials, and dates across dozens of individual pages. The notary signing agent walks you through each one — it's not rushed, but it's methodical.
The signing can run longer if there are questions, corrections needed in the documents, or a lender that needs to be reached mid-signing. Having your questions answered before the appointment (not during) is the single best way to keep a loan signing on schedule.
What adds time
A few things regularly slow down notarizations that people don't anticipate:
Incomplete documents. If a form isn't fully filled out when I arrive, we stop until it is. I can't notarize an incomplete document, and I can't advise on what to put in the blanks. This can turn a 10-minute appointment into a 45-minute one.
ID problems. Expired ID, a photocopy instead of the original, or a name mismatch between the ID and the document can halt the appointment entirely. Check your ID before I come — specifically the expiration date.
Multiple signers. If more than one person needs to sign, plan for each person to add a few minutes. Everyone needs their ID checked individually.
Document corrections. If there's an error in the document — wrong name, wrong date, wrong notarial language — it has to be addressed before I can stamp it. Sometimes that means a quick fix; sometimes it means reprinting.
Location logistics. For hospital or care facility appointments, building check-in, elevator time, and coordinating with staff can add 10 to 20 minutes to the overall visit, even if the notarization itself is quick.
What scheduling window to allow
Here's a practical guide:
1–2 standard documents: Block 20–30 minutes total (travel included if mobile)
3–5 documents or a complex estate package: Block 45 minutes
Loan signing / real estate closing: Block 90 minutes to be safe
Hospital or care facility: Add 15–20 minutes for logistics on top of whatever the documents require
Better to block more time than you need than to have somewhere to be when we're mid-signing.
Same-day is usually doable
The notarization itself is fast enough that same-day appointments are very workable — the constraint is my availability and travel time, not the process. If you have a time-sensitive document, reach out early in the day. I take same-day appointments regularly and will tell you honestly if I can make it happen.
Badger State Notary serves Milwaukee County and the surrounding metro area. Evening and weekend appointments available. Contact us to schedule.