| Summary |
Notaries are a key part of the legal system. They serve as independent witnesses to verify documents, identify individuals, and perform other important legal tasks. To become a Notary Public, you must meet certain requirements and take a number of steps to become officially recognized. This article will explain what you need to do to become a Notary.
To become a Notary, you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old. You must also be a resident of the state you are applying to become a Notary in. You will also need proof of identity such as a driver's license and fingerprints for a background check. Depending on the state, you may also need to take an exam and complete a course.
The next step is to file an application with the state office. You will most likely need to pay a fee to apply. The state office will review your application and determine if you qualify. After you are approved, you will be given a commission paper and official seal. You will also need to obtain a bond. This bond serves as insurance in case of negligence or fraud.
Once you have completed all the requirements, you can begin performing Notary duties. It is important to become familiar with the laws and rules of your state. You will be required to keep accurate records and journals and use the Notary seal when you are performing Notary tasks. You will also need to keep up with any changes in the law.
Understanding Notary Publics
A Notary Public is an individual who has been officially commissioned by the state to act as an impartial and neutral witness to document transactions, verify signatures on documents and administer oaths. Being a Notary Public is a privilege and is taken very seriously by the state governments.Notary Public Requirements
In order to become a Notary Public, individuals must meet certain requirements including being 18 years of age, a legal resident of the state and provide the county clerk with evidence of residency and a valid photo ID. In some states, applicants are also required to pass a written examination, complete a Notary Public course and be fluent in the English language.Notary Public Bond and Insurance
It is also important to remember that there are certain requirements that need to be met in order to become a Notary Public such as obtaining a Notary Public bond and obtaining Notary Public insurance. The bond and insurance help guarantee that the Notary Public will act in an ethical and professional manner while performing their duties.Notary Public Application
In order to become a Notary Public, individuals must fill out an application and submit it to the county clerk's office. The application will include information such as the individual's name, address, and contact information as well as details about their background and experience as a Notary.Becoming a Notary Public
Once the application is approved, the Notary Public will need to attend a swearing in ceremony where they will swear to uphold the duties of a Notary Public. After the ceremony, the Notary Public will be presented with a Notary seal and will be officially certified to notarize documents.Appointment is usually not a fulltime job: most notaries have additional jobs or businesses to run. "Many people become notaries because they have to; because in their workplace, it's useful or necessary to have a notary present," Mr. Aronson explained. "Others function as signing agents or motor vehicle clerks in addition to being notaries; others may offer further services, such as providing money orders."
Qualifications for becoming a notary public differ by jurisdiction. According to Mr. Aronson, in many states you can become a notary when you turn 18. "Few states have testing and education requirements for the position." Even in the states that do, education typically translates into a standard three-hour notary course or its equivalent, and testing may mean an open-book examination. Some states, however, are beginning to recognize the need for a more rigorous screening of applicants: California, for example, requires a six-hour course before appointment and a three-hour refresher before re-appointment, along with a background check and proof of fluency in the English language. Candidates who are interested will find valuable requirement information on their Secretaries of State's websites.
Regardless of whether a state requires standardized education, industry experts agree that training is invaluable to any notary who wants to perform his or her duties properly. "[Notaries should] get some type of education, whether through a formal course or by observing other notaries," said Mr. Aronson. "A growing number of states require training, and our advice is to become educated," Mr. Faerber recommended. "One can get into a lot of trouble unless [he or she] knows what to do."
In fact, the lack of education some notaries may possess is one of the reasons behind the public's misconceptions about the office of notary public. "There is a lack of understanding of the notary public's purpose in society. There's a lack of respect because there's no proper education to understand the tasks involved," Mr. Aronson said. "People may also believe that a document is legal, binding, or official simply because it was witnessed by a notary."
Other job-related challenges, particularly with the rise in popularity of electronic instruments, include identifying persons and authenticating signatures. "It may be tough to resist pressure from employers, family, and friends to 'take their word' for a person's signature," Mr. Faerber says. "For example, people may walk into the office attesting to their spouses' signature, when in fact the document is a forgery." In addition, the public may sometimes confuse the ministerial functions of a notary with someone who's able to give legal advice. "Notaries face tremendous difficulties in not being able to answer [legal questions]," said Mr. Faerber. "Notaries public need to be procedurally correct. They are a visible person to blame if something should go wrong."
But the job comes with great rewards, too. "There are many satisfying things notaries can do, like help people get a mortgage or adopt a child," stated Mr. Aronson. "Notaries public are privileged to be on hand for positive personal experiences in people's lives, such as buying a home," Mr. Faerber said. "Often, people will remember the notary as being there."
