What Does a Notary Public Do?

The notary's four core jobs

• Identify the signer, usually through government-issued photo identification.
• Confirm the signer is acting willingly and appears to understand what they are signing.
• Perform the notarial act the document calls for, such as an acknowledgement or a jurat.
• Complete and sign the notarial certificate and apply their seal, and record the act where required.

Common notarial acts

An acknowledgement is used when a signer confirms that the signature on a document is theirs and was made willingly. A jurat is used when a signer swears or affirms that the contents are true and signs in front of the notary. Other acts include certifying copies, witnessing signatures and administering oaths, depending on what each state authorizes.

The document itself usually indicates which act is required through the wording of its certificate. If it does not, the person or agency receiving the document should tell you which act they need — the notary cannot choose it for you.

What a notary does not do

• Give legal advice or opinions.
• Choose or prepare a document for you, unless separately licensed to do so.
• Tell you how to complete a form or what to write.
• Explain the legal consequences of signing.
• Verify that the statements inside a document are true.

Why notarization matters

Notarization is a fraud-deterrent step. It creates a record that a named person, whose identity was checked, appeared and signed. That is why courts, government agencies, lenders and foreign authorities often require it. It does not make an otherwise invalid document valid.

Is a notary an attorney?

No. A notary commission is not a law licence. Some attorneys are also notaries, and their profiles would say so, but a notary acting as a notary cannot advise you on your document or your situation.