I am a Notary Public official that is appointed by a state Pennsylvania government to serve the public as an impartial witness during notarizations. As ministerial official, I am expected to follow statutory rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion.
As a Notaries Public, I certify the proper execution of many of the life-changing documents of private citizens — whether those transactions convey real estate, grant powers of attorney, establish a prenuptial agreement, or perform the multitude of other activities that enable our civil society to function.
Notary Public Responsibilities
Notaries perform notarizations, or notarial acts, to deter fraud and establish that the signer understands the document they’re signing and that they’re a willing participant in the transaction.
There are two primary responsibilities of Notaries: 1) Validate the signer’s identity and 2) Confirm the signer’s willingness and awareness to sign the document or complete the transaction.
Identifying the Signer
Generally, a Notary will ask for a current form of identification that has a photo, physical description and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a driver’s license or passport.
Confirming Willingness and Awareness
Notaries will confirm both the signer’s willingness to sign the document and their awareness of its implications. On occasion, Notaries encounter individuals who are being forced to sign a document or whose health condition impairs their decision-making abilities. This is why Notaries are essential to preserving the public trust, as they ensure the integrity of documents while protecting the rights of all parties involved.
Some notarizations 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.
