It’s likely that you may need to get a document notarized at some time if you work in the legal field. A notary public can be hired to complete certain legal procedures, but that shouldn’t be your primary motivation. To further appreciate why notarizations are so crucial, educate yourself on the subject.
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What Does a Public Notary Do?
A person with a track record of honesty who acts as an unbiased witness at the signing of significant papers, such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and legal depositions, is known as a notary public, or just a notary. As public officers, notaries are appointed and commissioned by state governments, placing them in a position of trust and accountability.
One must first fulfill the qualifying conditions set out by their state in order to become a notary. California requires notaries to:
Have attained the age of eighteen
occupy the state and nation lawfully
Finish the training program and pass the test that the Secretary of State assigns.
Obtain a clean record.
Obtain a bond of surety
Obtain errors and omissions insurance; it is not required but strongly advised.
What Does Getting a Document Notarized Mean?
Three components make up notarizations, or notarial acts:
The signer is vetted by the notary to confirm their identity, willingness to sign, and knowledge of the contents of the document.
To attest to the document’s legitimacy, the notary signs and stamps it.
For record-keeping reasons, the notary documents the act in a notary journal.
Advantages of Document Notarization
Whether or not a document is needed by law, there are several reasons to get it notarized. This system has existed for millennia for the following reasons:
Prevent fraud and forgery: Having a reliable notary to confirm a signer’s identity provides an additional degree of safety while executing important papers in a world where con artists prey on any unsuspecting victim.
Offer legal protection: Getting your documents notarized might shield you from lawsuits and contract conflicts.
Boost the document’s credibility: Many papers lack legal force unless they have been notarized. A notary’s stamp and signature add to the document’s intrinsic worth and legitimacy, thus even if this isn’t applicable to all documents, notarization is still advantageous.
Prevent the requirement for a witness to attend court: A notarized document is regarded as self-authenticating by the law of evidence. This implies that it doesn’t need to be further shown to be what it seems to be in order to be admitted as evidence in court. Consequently, a notarization avoids the need for the witness to be present, saving a significant amount of time and money.
