A Notary is a person of proven integrity commissioned by the state to serve the public as an official, impartial witness. Notaries have the authority to witness the signing of documents and to administer oaths. 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.
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.
A U.S. Notary Public is not an attorney or judge and do not have authority to make any document legal. The Notary commission does not authorize the Notary to help other persons draft, prepare, complete, select or understand a document.
