Notary Public – Serving Pennsylvania With Integrity and Professionalism
As a commissioned Notary Public in the state of Pennsylvania, we serve the public as an impartial, state-appointed official responsible for witnessing and certifying important transactions. Our role is strictly ministerial, meaning we follow statutory requirements and established procedures without exercising personal discretion. This ensures fairness, consistency, and trust in every notarization.
We assist in the proper execution of many significant legal and personal documents, such as real estate transfers, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, and a wide range of other transactions that support and protect our civil society.
What a Notary Public Does
Notaries perform notarial acts to deter fraud and verify that signers fully understand and willingly participate in the transaction. Our responsibilities focus on two essential duties:
- Verifying the identity of the signer
- Confirming the signer’s willingness and awareness
Verifying Identity
To ensure authenticity, we require a valid form of identification that includes a photo, physical description, and signature. Commonly accepted IDs include:
- State-issued driver’s license
- U.S. passport
- Other government-issued photo identification
Ensuring Willingness and Awareness
A key part of notarization is confirming that the signer:
- Understands the document they are signing
- Is not being coerced
- Possesses the mental capacity to make the decision
If a signer appears pressured or unable to understand the document, I must decline the notarization to protect all parties involved. This safeguard is essential to maintaining public trust.
Some documents also require the signer to take an oath or affirmation, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information they are providing is true.
This commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and professionalism helps ensure the integrity of vital documents and protects the rights of every individual involved in the transaction.