The National Notary Association defines a notary public as an individual appointed by the state to be an official witness to a variety of document signings usually when the documents carry significant consequences or weight such as with a contract or deed of sale. Notaries are commissioned and must usually carry insurance. A notaries job is to deter fraud and ensure that people are signing documents of their own free will. The Secretary of State in most states keeps a record of all active Notary Public’s so that the public can both find one when necessary.

It is important that the authenticity of a legal document can be verified and trusted. A notary public is an appointed state official to help deter fraud and ensure the identity of signers. A notary public’s job is to witness the signing of documents and to verify the identity of those signers, the signers willingness to sign the documents at hand, and the signer’s awareness at the time of the transaction.

After witnessing the signing of a document, a notary applies their signature, official seal, and notary details. When a notary’s seal is present on a document, it means it has been verified that the signatures are authentic and that the document has been properly executed.

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