What is a Notary?

A notary is an official who is authorized to perform important legal tasks for their clients. Notaries are highly trained and have been entrusted with special legal responsibilities in accordance with the law. Notaries are also referred to as notaries public, public commissioners and even notarial officers. Each state sets its own requirements for becoming a notary, and the individual must adhere to strict standards of conduct to protect the integrity of all documents certified by a notary.

The Role of a Notary

The primary duties of a notary involve the authentication of various types of documents, such as certificate of acknowledgments, sworn statements, and trust certificates. After certifying a document, the notary will affix a signature and seal and even distribute copies, if necessary. Throughout the process, the notary must ensure that the parties involved are all present and that each one is aware of the contents of the document being notarized. They must also take legal steps to ensure that any signatures are authentic and that all parties are in agreement.

The Purpose of a Notary

A notary’s purpose is to not only protect the legal validity of documents, but also protect the interests of the parties involved. By legally witnessing a signing and confirming the signature is authentic, the notary prevents potential fraudulent activities and creates a more secure record-keeping process. This is especially important in instances of official documents and those related to financial transactions, such as loan applications, business contracts, and power of attorney documents. It is important to note, however, that the notary may not offer any advice or opinion regarding the contents of the document or the transaction itself. It is their job to simply authenticate the document and confirm the parties are in agreement.

Notaries are an invaluable part of the legal system, as they provide an important layer of scrutiny to help protect the interests of both parties. Notaries must adhere to a high standard of conduct, making sure they are objective and unbiased and that any documents they certify are viable under the law. All notaries are legal professionals, and it is important to remember it is their duty to safeguard the validity of documents and transactions.