| What a notary public does is witness the signing of the | | | | unit clerk to arrange for the services of a notary public |
| documents and ask each party for a sworn oath of | | | | without charge. Additionally, mail-box shops, copy |
| authenticity. A notary license holder is a person legally | | | | services, and banks often provide Notary services to |
| authorized by a state to administer oaths, take | | | | the public. |
| acknowledgments & certify documents. A notary | | | | Authentication of a Notary Public's signature is often |
| shall exercise no power or jurisdiction in criminal cases. | | | | required when foreign and other jurisdictions are |
| A notary must ensure that the person signing a | | | | involved. The public may access this record and verify |
| document to be notarized is who s/he says s/he is. | | | | the "official" signature of the notary at the county |
| Because identities are critical, a notary public may also | | | | clerk's office. If not, then a sample of the Notary's |
| spend some time verifying the names of the parties | | | | signature and seal must first be authenticated by the |
| involved in the signing. | | | | appropriate provincial authority responsible for Notaries |
| One misconception about a notary license is that his or | | | | Public. |
| her official signature and/or embossing stamp | | | | Each license holder shall have a seal of office, which |
| automatically makes a document 'true and legal'. | | | | shall be affixed to his instruments of publications and to |
| Documents certified by notaries public are sealed with | | | | his protestations. The term of office is usually four |
| the notary's seal and are recorded by the notary public | | | | years commencing with the effective date specified in |
| in a register maintained by him/her. | | | | the notarial commission. The Office of the Secretary |
| The license holders seal shall either be a seal press or | | | | of State performs random background investigations |
| a rubber stamp. These shall be the exclusive property | | | | on individuals submitting new or renewal notary public |
| of the notary. Their signature and seal is required to | | | | license applications. The applicant cannot act as a |
| authenticate the signatures on many legal documents. | | | | Notary Public until he receives his certificate of |
| They then verify the person's identity, usually done with | | | | appointment from this office. An appointed license |
| a driver's license, presses the seal on the document | | | | holder may begin notarizing documents after receipt of |
| and signs it. | | | | a certificate of appointment from the Secretary of |
| If you're an inpatient, you may also ask your nurse or | | | | State. |