Notarizing Documents

When a document is notarized, the notary public verifies the identity of the person signing the document by checking their identification and ensuring that they are willingly and knowingly signing the document. The notary also confirms that the person signing the document understands the contents of the document and is not under any duress or coercion.

Notaries also play a role in preventing fraud by ensuring that the signatures on documents are genuine and that the document itself is accurate and complete. They do not validate the content or legality of the document but focus on verifying the identity of the signatories.

Notarization is commonly required for various types of documents, such as affidavits, powers of attorney, real estate deeds, loan documents, wills, and trusts. The presence of a notary’s seal and signature adds an additional layer of trust and reliability to the document, which can be important for legal and official transactions.