What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is an official appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness during notarizations. As ministerial officials, they are expected to follow statutory rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion. 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.

Notary Public Responsibilities

Notaries perform notarizations, or notarial acts, to deter fraud and establish that the signer understands the document they're signing and that they're a willing participant in the transaction.

There are two primary responsibilities of Notaries: 1) Validate the signer’s identity and 2) Confirm the signer’s willingness and awareness to sign the document or complete the transaction.

Identifying the Signer

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.

Confirming Willingness and Awareness

Notaries will confirm both the signer's willingness to sign the document and their awareness of its implications. On occasion, Notaries encounter individuals who are being forced to sign a document or whose health condition impairs their decision-making abilities. This is why Notaries are essential to preserving the public trust, as they ensure the integrity of documents while protecting the rights of all parties involved.

Some notarizations 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.

Different Types of Notary Jobs

Every Notary begins with a traditional commission, but they can branch out to provide specialized services. Below are the different types of Notary jobs you may want to consider:

• Traditional Notary: Notary who qualifies for a commission in their state and has met the state’s application requirements.
• Mobile Notary: Traditional Notary who travels to the signer’s preferred location, such as the signer’s home or hospital.
• Remote Online Notary (RON): Notary with a traditional commission who has met their state’s requirements to become authorized to perform remote notarizations.
• Notary Signing Agent (NSA): Notary with a traditional commission who has also passed a background screening to comply with industry standards and handle loan signings.

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