Faqs

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government —typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.

A Notary’s duty is to screen the signers of important documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information contained in a document is true and correct.

Generally, a Notary will ask to see a current ID that has a photo, physical description and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a driver’s license or passport. Note acceptable IDs may differ from state to state.

Unlike Notaries in foreign countries, a U.S. Notary Public is not an attorney, judge or high-ranking official. A U.S. Notary is not the same as a Notario Publico and these differences can be confusing for immigrants when they approach Notaries in this country. Notaries in the United States should be very clear about what they can or cannot do to serve immigrants.

The purpose of an acknowledgment is for a signer, whose identity has been verified, to declare to a Notary or notarial officer that he or she has willingly signed a document.
1. The signer must physically appear before the Notary Public
2. Notary must positively identify the signer according to his/her state’s rules.
3. The signer may either sign the document before appearing or in your presence of the Notary Public
4. The signer must declare (acknowledge) signing the document for its intended purpose.

The purpose of a jurat — also known in some states as a “verification upon oath or affirmation” — is for a signer to swear to or affirm the truthfulness of the contents of a document to a Notary or notarial officer.
1. The signer must physically appear and sign the document in the presence of the Notary Public.
2. The Notary Public is required to positively identify the signer according to his/her state’s rules
3. A spoken oath or an affirmation will be administered, and the signer must respond out loud “yes” or “I do”
The notary will then complete the notarial act by filling out and sealing the jurat.
While not required by law, it is strongly recommended that the signer raise his or her right hand to emphasize the seriousness of the oath or affirmation.