By
Eli on
January
4,
2013
Contrary to popular belief, notaries do not notarize documents, they notarize signatures. They are required to do the following:
- Examine the document for completeness.
- Check the notarial certificate for compliance with state law, if there is one preprinted.
- Identify the document signer
- Confirm the signers’ capacity to understand the document: Notaries can witness signatures even they are not familiar with the language on the document. However, they must be able to communicate with the signer.
- Administer the Oath/Affirmation or take the Acknowledgment
- Complete the Notarial Certificate by placing their signature, dating and sealing the document.