What is a Notary?

A Notary Public is a civil officer appointed by their respective Secretary of State in order to serve as an objective witness with regard to the signing of official documents by different parties.

It is a Notary Public's legal responsibility to perform notarial acts in compliance with the notary law and regulations. A Notary's general powers include witnessing a signature, certifying a copy of a record, certifying that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate copy, and making note or protest of a negotiable instrument. 

A Notary also carries the responsibility to screen the signers for their true identity, willingness to sign without duress, and awareness of the contents of the document that is being signed.