A personal guarantee does not always have to be notarized to be legally binding. However, having it notarized can add a layer of authenticity and credibility, which might be beneficial in certain situations.
In many cases, a personal guarantee can be valid simply with the signature of the guarantor and the lender. However, different states may have different laws regarding notarization of such documents. Some lenders may require a notarized signature to ensure that the person signing understands the implications of the guarantee they are providing.
Notarization serves as a way to deter fraud and can be particularly important if the agreement is contested in the future. Therefore, while notarization is not universally required, it is often recommended to prevent any potential disputes or challenges to the guarantee’s validity.