Frequently Asked Questions
01 What is a Notary Public?
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-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. These official acts are called notarization, or notarial acts. Notaries are publicly commissioned as “ministerial” officials, meaning that they are expected to follow written rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion, as would otherwise be the case with a “judicial” official.
02 Why Are Notaries And Notarization Necessary?
Through the process of notarization, Notaries deter fraud and establish that the signer knows what document they’re signing, and that they’re a willing participant in the transaction
03 What Does A Notary Do?
A Notary's duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct. Property deeds, wills and powers of attorney are examples of documents that commonly require a Notary.
Impartiality is the foundation of the Notary's public trust. They are duty-bound not to act in situations where they have a personal interest. The public trusts that the Notary’s screening tasks have not been corrupted by self-interest. And impartiality dictates that a Notary never refuse to serve a person due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation or status as a non-customer.
As official representatives of the state, Notaries Public certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those diverse 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.
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04 What Do I Need to Bring When Having a Document Notarized?
The Document
You can’t expect a notary public to perform the desired notarial act unless you bring him or her the document. Check to make sure the document is intact and ready for notarization, with every field complete except for your signature. Most notarial acts require the signer to sign the document in the physical presence of the notary, so hold off on signing your document until you reach the notary’s office
Identification
One of the duties of a notary public is to verify the signer’s identify. The notary must check to make sure the signer is in fact who they say they are. The purpose of verifying the signer’s identify is to prevent fraud, which is particularly important for sensitive financial documents like grants and wills.
Acceptable forms of identification for notarial acts varies depending on the notary’s state of commission, but most states allow the use of a driver’s license, state-issued identification cards, and military IDs. Check with either the notary or your state’s Secretary Office to determine which forms of identification are accepted.
Notary’s Payment/Fee
Don’t forget to bring the notary public’s payment when you go to his office. Fees vary depending on the state, the notarial act, and what the notary wishes to charge. There are maximum limits defined by the state on how much a notary can charge for each act. Notary will accept cash, check, cashier’s check, and all major credit cards for payment.