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OCR PDF for notaries

Updated July 2026

Arthize lets notaries and signing agents OCR a scanned PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert.

Why notaries OCR a scanned PDF

A notary merges a loan package into one file for the appointment, captures signatures and initials, then archives the executed document as PDF/A.

Built for affidavits. Whether it's affidavits, acknowledgements, loan packages, Arthize's ocr pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Notarised documents carry identity and financial data; private handling is non-negotiable.

What matters when you OCR a scanned PDF

OCR adds an invisible, selectable text layer over the scanned image.

Without OCR, a scanned PDF is just a picture and can't be searched.

Running OCR first is what makes a scan convert cleanly to Word or Excel.

How to OCR a scanned PDF

  1. 1

    Open the OCR tool

    Sign in and open the OCR tool.

  2. 2

    Add your scan

    Upload the scanned or image-only PDF.

  3. 3

    Run OCR

    Arthize recognises the text and adds it as an invisible, selectable layer.

  4. 4

    Download

    Get a searchable PDF whose text you can copy and convert.

Common questions

How do notaries OCR a scanned PDF for free?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why notaries and signing agents can use it for affidavits without a confidentiality risk.
Is it private to OCR a scanned PDF sensitive affidavits?
Yes. Notarised documents carry identity and financial data; private handling is non-negotiable. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.
What is OCR and why does my scan need it?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

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