What is the primary role of a notary public?

The primary role of a notary public is to act as an impartial witness to signatures. This is crucial in ensuring the authenticity of documents and the identities of individuals signing them. A notary verifies that the person signing the document is who they claim to be and that they are doing so willingly and under their own free will. This process helps prevent fraud and protects the integrity of the documents being notarized.

By serving as an unbiased third party, notaries provide an essential service that fosters trust in legal transactions, such as real estate deals, contracts, and powers of attorney. Their role is critical in confirming that the necessary legal formalities are observed, which can help prevent future disputes regarding the validity of a document.

In contrast, representing clients in court, drafting legal contracts, and providing legal advice are functions typically associated with licensed attorneys rather than notaries. These professionals possess specific legal training and expertise that notaries do not have, focusing instead on notarizing documents accurately and securely.