When To Use A Notary

Imagine you've just signed a major contract to build a million widgets. Business is thriving, your employees are celebrating, and everything is moving in the right direction.
Now imagine that months or even years later, someone challenges the authenticity of your signature.
If you had your signature notarized, you've already taken an important step toward protecting yourself. If not, you may have missed a valuable opportunity to strengthen the credibility of your agreement.
What Does a Notary Public Do?A Notary Public is a state-commissioned official authorized to verify the identity of document signers, witness signatures, and perform notarial acts in accordance with state law. Their role is to help deter fraud by confirming that the person signing a document is who they claim to be and that they are signing willingly.
A notarization does not guarantee the contents of a document are accurate or legally enforceable. Instead, it verifies the identity of the signer and the integrity of the signing process.
Why Notarization Is ImportantHaving a document notarized offers several important benefits:

• Helps deter fraud and identity theft by verifying the signer's identity.
  
• Provides evidence that the signature is genuine, making it more difficult for someone to deny signing the document.
  
• Creates an official record of the notarization, and in many states, the notary maintains a journal documenting the transaction.
  
• Can simplify legal proceedings. Under the rules of evidence in many jurisdictions, properly notarized documents may qualify as self-authenticating, reducing the need for additional testimony to establish the authenticity of a signature.
  

While notarization doesn't prevent disputes from arising, it can make resolving them much easier.
A Notary's ResponsibilitiesAlthough the notarization process may seem straightforward, a notary public has significant responsibilities. Before completing a notarization, a notary must:

• Verify the signer's identity using acceptable identification or other methods allowed by state law.
  
• Confirm the signer is appearing in person (or by approved remote means where authorized).
  
• Ensure the signer understands what they are signing.
  
• Determine that the signer is acting voluntarily and is not being coerced or under duress.
  
• Complete the appropriate notarial certificate and affix their official seal.
  

For individuals who are elderly, vulnerable, or have limited English proficiency, a notary has an especially important role in helping ensure the signer is participating willingly and understands the nature of the transaction.
A Small Step That Can Make a Big DifferenceWhether you're signing a business contract, real estate documents, a power of attorney, or other important legal paperwork, having your signature notarized provides an added layer of protection for everyone involved.
It's a simple step that can help reduce the risk of fraud, strengthen the credibility of your documents, and provide greater peace of mind should questions ever arise in the future.