remote online notary association

What is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a public official appointed by a state government. Their primary role is to serve as an impartial and unbiased witness to the signing of important documents. Think of them as a trusted third party who helps deter fraud and ensure things are done properly.

Impartiality is Key

Notaries must remain completely neutral in any transaction they oversee. They cannot be involved in the transaction itself and must avoid any conflict of interest. This impartiality ensures that the notarization process is fair and that the documents are signed freely and willingly.

How Notaries Deter Fraud

Notaries play a crucial role in preventing fraud by:

• Verifying Identities: They carefully check the signer's identification to ensure they are who they claim to be. This helps prevent forgery and identity theft.  
• Witnessing Signatures: The notary watches the person sign the document, confirming that the signature is genuine and given freely.  
• Detecting Coercion: Notaries are trained to look for signs of coercion or undue influence. If they suspect someone is being forced to sign, they will refuse to notarize the document.  
• Maintaining Records: Notaries keep detailed records of every notarization, including the signer's information, the type of document, and the date. This creates a reliable audit trail.

Commonly Notarized Documents

Notaries handle a wide variety of documents, including:

• Real Estate Deeds: Transfers of property ownership  
• Powers of Attorney: Granting someone the authority to act on your behalf  
• Wills and Trusts: Estate planning documents  
• Loan Documents: Mortgages, promissory notes, etc.  
• Affidavits: Sworn statements  
• Contracts: Agreements between parties  
• Oaths/Affirmations: Formal declarations  

Essentially, any document that requires an extra layer of security and legal validity may need notarization.

In a Nutshell

Notaries are essential to ensuring the authenticity and integrity of important documents. They protect people from fraud and provide confidence in legal transactions.