Who is defined as a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is specifically defined as a person who is appointed to perform notarial acts. This role involves a variety of responsibilities, which primarily include witnessing the signing of documents, administering oaths, and providing verification of identity to prevent fraud. The function of a Notary is to ensure that transactions are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the law, thus facilitating trust in legal and financial documents.

In the context of this question, being appointed means that the individual has met certain qualifications and has been granted authority, typically by a state or governmental agency. This formal appointment distinguishes Notaries from other roles such as government attorneys, legal advisors, or court witnesses, who have different responsibilities and functions that do not encompass the specific duties of witnessing and authenticating documents.