Notarisation exists to add a layer of legal certainty to specific documents, confirming identity and, in many cases, that a signature was made willingly and knowingly, which is why certain transactions require it and others don't. Common documents requiring notarisation include property transactions, powers of attorney, and certain affidavits, though exact requirements vary by jurisdiction and document type. When booking a notary appointment, confirm in advance exactly which original documents and identification are required, since incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons appointments need to be rescheduled. For documents intended for use in another country, ask specifically whether additional authentication, such as an apostille or embassy attestation, is required beyond standard notarisation, since these are frequently confused but serve different legal functions. Mobile notary services, which travel to a client's location, have become increasingly available and are particularly useful for elderly clients, business owners with limited availability, or situations involving multiple signatories in different locations. Keeping certified copies of any notarised document is worth the small additional cost, since replacing a lost original notarised document can involve a considerably more complicated process than the initial notarisation itself.