What is a Notary Public?

A Notary is a State-officiated professional who provides witness services to the signing of important documents including affidavits, mortgages, loan documents, deeds, and other legal documents. Notaries are also permitted to take oaths and affirmations. Notaries are appointed by government agencies in the United States at the state level.

                         In Pennsylvania, a Notary is a person with integrity acting as a public servant. This person typically acts as a witness to the signing of important document(s) within a transaction. Ultimately, the role of a Notary helps to prevent fraud in significant situations. Examples of these situations would include the transfer of property or giving over financial powers. 

 

What does a Notary Public do?

When an important document requires your signature to be Notarized, a Notary public is called in to act as a witness to ensure that it's the signer and guides the signer through the process. The Notary is there to prevent imposters and make sure that the signers are not under duress and of a sound mind before signing any document, Anything to the contrary the signing should be postponed or canceled until the Notary is satisfied.

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Vital steps a Notary takes before an administration are as follows: 

• First, the Notary checks active government identifications (like a drivers license or a passport) to ensure that the person signing the document really is the person they are claiming to be.  A Notary will also verify it’s the signer;  by listening to the signer, acknowledging that they are who they say they are, and willing to move forward in the process aware of the contents of the document.

• Secondly, the Notary assesses that everyone in the signing is willing to sign and understands the magnitude of the document or situation. The Notary assures that no one is under duress and also affirms that all signers are competent and are fully aware, this especially protects elderly signers.

• Next the Notary scans the documents thoroughly for blanks to ensure that the document cannot be modified later on.

• Lastly, the Notarization is administered and the Notary keeps records of the transaction including thumbprints of the signing individuals. If the validity of a document comes into question in the future, the parameters and intent of the signing can be examined.

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