A Notary is a person licensed by the government to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents. Certain documents must be notarized. When purchasing a home, transferring a car, providing power of attorney, authorizing consent for a minor to travel abroad, or executing other important transactions, it’s essential that everyone can trust the documents and your signature.
The main role of a Notary Public is to prevent fraud, to ensure the appropriate people execute documents freely and to verify transactions after the fact. Having a notary public witness a signature is a powerful risk management tool to prevent fraud and identity theft.
After witnessing a signing, a notary public applies their own details, such as their signature, seal, and notary commission details. These materials serve as a means of verifying the transaction so others may rely upon it. Notarized documents also are considered self-authenticating, which means the signers do not need to testify in court to verify the authenticity of their signatures. Having a document notarized is a huge strategic advantage in litigation.