Notary Public
A state-appointed official authorized to serve as an impartial witness to document signings, administer oaths, and certify the authenticity of signatures.
What Is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a public officer commissioned by a state to perform official acts called notarizations. Notaries serve as impartial witnesses to deter fraud in the signing of important documents. They verify the identity of the signer, confirm the signer's awareness and willingness to sign, and apply their official seal to acknowledge the act. Notaries are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice unless they hold a separate law license.
Notarial Acts
- **Acknowledgments**: confirming that a signer is who they claim and signed voluntarily - **Jurats**: administering an oath or affirmation to a signer of a sworn statement - **Oaths and affirmations**: solemn promises to tell the truth - **Copy certifications**: confirming a copy is a true reproduction of an original - **Signature witnessing**: observing a signature and certifying its execution
Remote Online Notarization
Remote online notarization (RON) allows the signer to appear before the notary via approved audio-video technology, present identification through identity proofing systems, and sign electronically. The notary applies an electronic seal and tamper-evident technology to the document. RON is authorized in most U.S. states and has expanded dramatically since 2020. Some states require the signer to be physically present in the state where the notary is commissioned; others permit cross-border notarization. Notarial fraud, including unauthorized notarization or failure to verify identity, can result in civil and criminal penalties for the notary.