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A notary is an individual commissioned by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths, and performing other acts allowed by law.
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What is a notary?
A notary is a public officer who is authorised to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents. A notary’s main functions are to prevent fraud and to ensure that documents are executed and witnessed properly. Let’s take a closer look at the role of a notary.
What are the requirements to become a notary?
To become a notary public, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Be a resident of the state in which you will work
-Be able to read and write in English
-Have no felony convictions
You will also need to pass a written exam and background check.
What are the duties of a notary?
Notaries are witnesses to the signing of important documents and the swearing of oaths. They verify the identities of people signing documents, administer oaths, and perform other duties to deter fraud. Notaries are appointed by state governments; in most cases, they must be sponsored by a licensed bondsman or attorney. Applicants for appointment as a notary must pass a written examination administered by the state in which they will serve.
Notaries are required to keep records of all the documents they witness and notarize. These records, called “journals,” help prevent fraud by providing evidence of when and where a document was notarized, as well as who signed it. Notaries must also maintain their journals in a secure location to prevent tampering.
What do notaries do?
A notary is an individual who is licensed by the state to witness the signing of documents and administer oaths. Notaries are also able to take acknowledgments and depositions. They must be impartial and cannot be related to any of the parties involved in the document.
Notarize documents
A notary public is a person who is authorized by the state to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. Notaries are typically used for real estate transactions, loan signings, and other legal matters.
Generally, anyone who needs a document notarized will go to a notary public and sign the document in front of the notary. The notary will then stamp or seal the document to certify that it has been signed in their presence.
Notarizing a document does not mean that the document is true or accurate; it simply means that the person signing it was witnessed by a notary public.
Witness signatures
A notary public is an impartial witness who identifies signers and witnesses signatures on documents. Notaries also take acknowledgments, which is when a signer tells the notary that they have willingly signed a document. Most notaries are appointed by their state’s governor or other state official. Some states allow notaries to be appointed by a Circuit Court Judge.
Notaries are bound by the rules and regulations of their state’s notary commissioning authority. Most states require notaries to take an oath of office and post a bond, which is insurance that protects the public from losses caused by fraudulent or dishonest notarial acts. Notaries are also required to keep a journal, or record, of all the notarial acts they perform.
Administer oaths and affirmations
A notary public is an official of integrity appointed by state government — typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-preventing acts related to the signing of important documents. Put simply, notaries prevent imposters from signing documents on behalf of people who are unable or unwilling to do so. They also verify that signers are acting freely and under their own Power of attorney, if applicable. Notaries can decline to serve someone if they have doubts about the signer’s identity, intentions or understanding of what they are doing.
When Notaries act as impartial witnesses, they help deter fraud and ensure that documents are properly signed and witnessed. This promotes confidence in our system of commerce and helps protect everyone from the consequences of fraud. In fact, many businesses and agencies will not accept documents unless they are properly notarized.
