What Is a Notary?

A officially appointed person who acts as an unbiased witness to the signing of a legal document is known as a notary. Signings of real estate deeds, affidavits, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, bills of sale, and other legal transactional papers typically require the services of a notary. A notary’s primary function is to prevent fraud.

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Recognizing a Notary’s Function

A notary, often known as a notary public, can be employed to confirm that a transaction took place and was duly documented or to produce reliable documents. A declared commitment is required in order for a document to be notarized. The parties’ original signatures on the paper are also required.

Notaries require picture identification from all parties before they will sign a document. If there is proof of fraud or if the notary is unsure of the signing parties’ identities, they may decline to authenticate the document. After that, the document is sealed with the notary’s seal and a notarial certificate attesting to the signatures.

A notary cannot reject a document because of a witness’s color, nationality, gender, or religion.

Notary Past

According to the National Notary Association (NNA), notaries were employed as long back as 2750 B.C.E. in Egypt and Sumeria. Known as scribes by the Egyptians, these authors and eyewitnesses recorded a significant portion of ancient history. The Roman Empire created official records and recorded everything from speeches to the weather using notarii and scribae. Tiro, a Roman servant who invented a shorthand for voice recording, was the first known notary.2

The Chinese also used scribes to record labor and resource statistics, events, and lectures, as well as to provide thorough accounting services to the state.3.

Christopher Columbus traveled with notaries to reassure King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that all of his findings were genuine.4

Notaries included writer Mark Twain, Salvador Dali, Leonardo Da Vinci, and the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, as sons. As of right now, Coolidge is the only president whose father served as a notary public.4

According to the NNA, the number of female notaries has surpassed that of male notaries since the 1900s.4

How to Take a Notary Course

Every state has a different process for becoming a notary. In general, notaries must live in the state in which they have a license and be at least 18 years old.

The cost of becoming a notary includes the oath of office, supplies, training, and a bond. Legal advice cannot be given by notaries, and they risk fines if they do. They are also not to act in circumstances where they have a personal interest.

How Do Notaries Work?

A notary public is an individual appointed by a state government to witness signatures and confirm that transactions or events reported on paper really took place.

How Do You Become a Notary Public?

In addition to fulfilling your state’s standards, you must complete an application and education procedure in order to become a notary. It can also be necessary for you to take a test. You are sworn in as a notary after passing.

How Much Does Becoming a Notary Cost?

State-by-state variations exist in notary fees. The costs are increased by the need for notaries to recertify in some states. They also need to purchase their seal.

The Bottom Line

For thousands of years, notaries have played a crucial role in society and governance. Notaries continue to make sure that information presented can be trusted, from recording previous crop yields to electronically validating papers and signatures.

Notaries are present in every county and state. A notary public may be found in a lot of places of business; one may even reside next door. Many states have passed legislation to make it simpler to get your documents notarized remotely using technology if you reside in a distant place or are unable to locate a notary in any other way.