2024/2025
A. Notary Duties and Powers:
What are the primary duties of a notary public?
What actions can a notary public perform?
Primary Duties of a Notary Public:
1. Acknowledgments: Confirming that a signer understands the document they are signing
and is doing so voluntarily. This often involves verifying the identity of the signer and
witnessing their signature.
2. Oaths and Affirmations: Administering oaths or affirmations to individuals who need to
swear or affirm the truthfulness of their statements or documents.
3. Jurats: Certifying that a document has been signed in the notary’s presence and that the
signer has sworn to the truthfulness of the content.
4. Copy Certifications: Verifying that a copy of a document is a true and accurate
reproduction of the original.
5. Signature Witnessing: Witnessing the signing of documents to ensure they are executed
properly.
Actions a Notary Public Can Perform:
1. Verify Identity: Check the identification of individuals to ensure they are who they
claim to be. This typically involves reviewing a government-issued ID or other
acceptable forms of identification.
2. Administer Oaths: Take oaths or affirmations from individuals for affidavits and other
documents that require such an affirmation.
3. Sign and Seal Documents: Affix their official seal and signature to documents, which
signifies that they have performed the required notarial act.
4. Record Notarial Acts: Maintain a notary journal (if required by state law) to document
the details of each notarial act performed.
5. Prepare Certificates: Fill out and sign notarial certificates that accompany documents to
indicate that the notarial act has been performed.
, B. Identification and Verification:
What forms of identification are acceptable for notarization?
How do you verify the identity of signers?
Acceptable Forms of Identification
1. Government-issued Photo IDs: Commonly accepted forms include:
o Driver’s License
o Passport
o State ID Card
o Military ID
2. Non-Governmental IDs: Some places may accept other forms of ID if they include a
photo and a signature, such as:
o Employee ID Cards
o University ID Cards
3. Secondary Identification: In some cases, a combination of documents might be used,
especially if the primary ID is not available. Examples might include:
o Utility Bills
o Bank Statements
o Social Security Cards
Verification Process
1. Examine the ID: Check that the ID is current, valid, and has not expired. Ensure that the
photo and personal details match the person presenting it.
2. Verify Authenticity: Look for security features on the ID (like holograms or
watermarks) to ensure it is genuine.
3. Ask Questions: To further confirm identity, ask the signer questions about personal
information that should be known to them and not easily guessed.
4. Compare Signatures: If applicable, compare the signature on the document with the one
on the ID to make sure they match.
5. Record Information: Some jurisdictions require the notary to record details from the ID,
such as the ID number and expiration date, in the notarial journal.