Witnessing Signatures:
- A notary verifies the identity of individuals signing important documents, such as contracts or legal agreements, and witnesses their signatures to ensure authenticity.
Administering Oaths and Affirmations:
A notary public can administer oaths or affirmations for affidavits, sworn statements, or other legal matters, ensuring that the individual is truthfully declaring the contents.
Certifying Copies of Documents:
- Notaries can certify that copies of original documents, such as diplomas, passports, or other legal documents, are true and accurate copies.
Acknowledgments:
- Notaries can take acknowledgments, confirming that the person signing a document did so voluntarily and with full understanding of its implications, commonly used in real estate transactions.
Jurat: A notary public verifies that the person signing a document does so in their presence and swears (or affirms) that the contents of the document are true, often required for affidavits or depositions.