What is a notary? Why would I need one?

Many people never think about a notary until they need one. Well, what exactly IS a notary? A notary public is an official, third-party witness to a signature who verifies that all parties signing the document are not only who they say they are, but also that they willingly signed the document under their own power. However, willingly signing a document doesn’t mean that the party signing it necessarily understands the actual contents of the document. While a notary may go the extra mile to make sure the party/parties signing the document are doing so willingly and have a reasonable understanding of what it is they are signing, it is not up to the notary to verify the accuracy of the contents of the document being presented for signature. The authorities granted to notaries vary by state.

Why would I need a notary? There are many reasons to have a document notarized, and many types of documents which require notarization. Having a document notarized provides an extra layer of authenticity and security by helping to verify the identity and willingness of the signing parties. In addition, there are certain agreements which require notarization such as deeds, easements, powers of attorney, and wills. Affidavits (sworn statements) and oaths are also commonly notarized. The types of documents requiring notarization vary by state so be sure to check with your state to see what types of documents require notarization.

Ok, so I need a notary; now what? That’s where we come in! If you still have questions, check out our FAQ’s page or click here to contact us. If you’re ready to schedule your appointment click here.