Within what geographic area may a notary generally perform notarial acts?

A notary's authority is generally limited to the state that commissioned them; the notary may perform notarial acts throughout that state but not outside it. The document being notarized may be intended for use in another state or country, which is fine, but the act itself must be performed within the commissioning state's borders. Some states historically tied notaries to a specific county, but most now allow statewide practice — the notary must know their own state's rules. Performing an act outside one's jurisdiction is beyond the notary's authority. Jurisdiction defines where, not for what purpose, a notary may act.