What is a Notary Public and Why Do They Matter
New Notary Series- Blog Post 1
If you have never met a Notary Public or have never found yourself in need of the services of a Notary public, your journey to becoming a Notary might be confusing. I get it. It was for me too. I had yet to learn what a Notary was or what they did. In today's first blog post of my New Notary Series, I want to demystify and debunk some of what you do or don’t know about Notaries and their important role in our society.
The Decoding A Notary Public
Let's get into the “What” of our journey into defining a Notary.
A Notary Public is an official appointed by a state government — generally 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. That is the official, minimally described role of a Notary public.
A Notary Public is an official of integrity. An impartial and authorized observer who carries out diverse tasks to deter fraud and uphold essential documents' integrity. Notaries wield the power to administer oaths, verify signatures, and ascertain the legitimacy of documents. Their role revolves around ensuring that signatories are who they claim to be and that their actions are executed willingly and knowingly.
Does that sound like way more than what you thought a Notary was? Did you think they just stamped papers? There is a great deal more about them I would like to share with you.
Critical Roles of a Notary Public
Let's talk about the important roles a Notary Public plays. Some of these may surprise you.
1. **Authentication of Identity:** A fundamental duty of a Notary Public involves verifying the identities of individuals engaged in a transaction. This entails cross-referencing official identification documents such as passports or driver's licenses to confirm the parties' authenticity.
2. **Oath Administration and Affirmations:** Notaries possess the authority to administer oaths and affirmations, which function as solemn commitments to speak the truth. This is often a prerequisite for affidavits, depositions, and other legal statements.
3. **Validation of Signatures:** In cases where notarized signatures are necessary, the Notary public validates the signature's authenticity, attesting that it was signed willingly and in their presence. This helps prevent unauthorized or counterfeit signatures from being recognized as valid.
4. **Acknowledgments and Jurats:** Notaries perform two principal types of notarial acts – acknowledgments and jurats. An acknowledgment refers to a formal declaration by a signer that they have signed a document voluntarily. In contrast, a Jurat involves a statement made under oath or affirmation asserting the document's veracity.
5. **Maintenance of Notarial Records:** Notaries are mandated to maintain a meticulous record or journal of all notarial acts they conduct. This journal records pertinent details such as the parties involved, document type, date, and any applicable fees. This practice acts as a safeguard against fraudulent activities.
6. **Witnessing and Attesting:** Notaries may occasionally be called upon to witness the signing of documents like wills, contracts, or trusts. Their presence reinforces the authenticity of the signing process.
The Significance of Notaries in Contemporary Society
Amidst the surge of digital information and transactions, a Notary public's role is a steadfast assurance of authenticity. Beyond the surface of signatures and seals, they function as guardians of integrity, preserving the sanctity of vital legal documents and transactions. By confirming identities, administering oaths, and validating signatures, notaries contribute to the legal system's credibility, enabling documents to bear legal weight and withstand scrutiny in court.
Furthermore, Notaries offer an added layer of security to significant financial and legal transactions. Whether it's the purchase of a property, the finalization of a business deal, or the creation of a will, notarized documents impart credibility and legitimacy to these processes.
The Historical Significance of Notaries
As a Notary public, I find the historical records of Notaries fascinating. There have been records of Notaries found as far back as ancient Egypt in 2750-2250 BC. The NNA, National Notary Association, has a great article about the history of Notaries that I encourage you to take the time to read. You can find that article here.
There you go—the definition and explanation of a Notary Public. Still, even in an evolving landscape where technology dominates, the role of a Notary Public remains unwavering in its commitment to authenticity. We, Notary Publics, show no sign of becoming obsolete. Even as the landscape of signing changes and the introduction to remote online notarization have begun to dominate the landscape of notarizations, much for the Notary does not really change. The value and importance of the Notary Public in our society and world will be hard to undo as we are still on the front line of fraud prevention. In a world where fraud is a major problem, perhaps more than ever before, it would be impossible to counter without us.
I hope I have answered your question about what a Notary Public is. There is so much more to this amazing community, and my sincerest hope is that you will stick around and learn as much as you can to decide if joining us is the step you want to take in your life.
Until Next Time- Keep learning, and remember their important role in our community and lives the next time you see a Notary Seal.
Jennifer K Cooper- JKC Mobile Notary
