What a Notary Public Can Do
Overview
A Notary Public is an official appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness during notarizations. They play a crucial role in preventing fraud and ensuring the integrity of important legal documents.
Core Functions
Notaries have two primary responsibilities:
1. Validate Identity: Generally, a Notary will ask for a current form of identification that has a photo, physical description and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a driver's license or passport.
2. Confirm Willingness and Awareness: Notaries will confirm both the signer's willingness to sign the document and their awareness of its implications. This protects against coercion and ensures signers understand what they're signing.
What Documents They Handle
Notaries Public certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those transactions convey real estate, grant powers of attorney, establish a prenuptial agreement, or perform the multitude of other activities that enable our civil society to function.
Additional Services
Some notarizations require specific actions:
Put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct
Serve as impartial witnesses to deter fraud
Ensure proper document execution according to state law
Types of Notary Services Available
Traditional Notary: In-person paper document notarizations
Mobile Notary: Travels to the signer's location (home, hospital, etc.)
Remote Online Notary (RON): Virtual notarizations using electronic documents
Notary Signing Agent: Specializes in loan document signings
Key Takeaway
Notaries are essential to preserving the public trust, as they ensure the integrity of documents while protecting the rights of all parties involved. They serve as neutral third parties who verify identity and ensure voluntary, informed participation in important legal transactions.
Source: National Notary Association (nationalnotary.org)