What Does a Notary Do?

A notary public is an essential professional in the legal process, providing crucial services that help verify identities, prevent fraud, and authenticate documents. In simple terms, a notary acts as a neutral third party who witnesses the signing of important documents to ensure that the individuals signing them are doing so voluntarily, with full understanding of the document's contents.

1. Verifying Identities

The notary's first responsibility is to verify the identity of the individuals signing a document. This is often done by reviewing government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver's license or passport, to ensure the signers are who they say they are.

2. Witnessing Signatures

One of the most common duties of a notary is to witness the signing of a document. The notary ensures that the signer is doing so voluntarily and that they understand the document. This step is crucial for preventing fraud or coercion.

3. Administering Oaths and Affirmations

Notaries can also administer oaths or affirmations, commonly required in affidavits or sworn statements. This ensures that the person making the statement is doing so truthfully and under oath.

4. Certifying Copies of Documents

Some notaries are authorized to certify copies of original documents as true copies. This is especially useful when the original document is required for another purpose, but a certified copy needs to be submitted.

5. Taking Acknowledgments

Notaries can take acknowledgments, confirming that the person signing the document understands its content and is doing so willingly. This is common in transactions involving deeds, powers of attorney, and real estate documents.

6. Jurat (Oath or Affirmation)

In some cases, a notary may be required to administer an oath or affirmation to a signer, particularly for documents such as affidavits or sworn statements.

Why You Need a Notary

Notaries ensure the legality of documents by verifying the identity of signers and ensuring documents are properly executed. Notarization adds an additional layer of trust and authenticity, which can be critical in legal matters, business transactions, and court proceedings.

Need a Notary?

If you need to notarize documents, you can visit a bank, UPS, or a mobile notary. However, online notary services are a cost-effective and convenient option for completing notarizations from the comfort of your home.

For more information on online notarization, check out our guide to online notarization costs. Our online notary service offers a flat rate of just $20 per document, making it a quick and affordable solution for your notarization needs.

Start Your Online Notarization

Upload your document and identification and receive your notarized PDF by email. Night service is available when you need a more flexible option.