What is a Notary?

A notary in the United States is a public official, commissioned by their State of residence to perform a notorial service for anyone who requires it.


What kinds of services do notaries perform?

• Acknowledgements:
  Certifying that a signer personally appeared before the notary, was identified by the notary (with proper Identification), and acknowledged signing the document.
  
  
• Certified copies of a Power of Attorney:
  Notaries may certify that a copy of a power of attorney is identical to the original.
  
  
• Depositions:
  Certifying that the spoken words of a witness were accurately taken down in writing.
  
  
• Jurats:
  As found in affidavits and other sworn documents, certifying that the signer personally appeared before the Notary, signed in the Notary's presence, and took an oath or affirmation from the Notary.
  
  
• Oaths and Affirmations:
  Solemn promises to God(oath) or solemn promises to one's own personal honor(affirmation)
  
  
• Proofs of Execution:
  Certifying that a subscribing witness personally appeared and swore to the Notary that another person, the principle, signed the document.
  
  
• Protests:
  Certifying that a written promise to pay, such as a bill of exchange, was not honored.
  

What is a Notary not authorized to do:

• Notary's Own Signatute:
  A Notary is not authorized to notarize their own signature
  
  
• Certified Copies:
  A certified copy is a duplicate copy of an original document that is certified as an exact reproduction. In California, a Notary is prohibited from making certified copies of anything but the Notary's own official journal or a Power of Attorney. Request for certified copies of any other documents should be directed to the agency that holds the document.