The Notary Public Evolution dates to the ancient Egyptians were among the first to recognize the significance of making records official, leading to the emergence of Notaries. These individuals have since played a pivotal role in shaping the development of governments, commerce, and organized society.
Historical Significance of Notary Public
In the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, the scribes played a crucial role as the earliest known chroniclers of official communications. They occupied a distinct position within the Egyptian bureaucracy and were responsible for handling a wide range of documents, such as personal letters, official proclamations, tax records, and more. The significance of their work was evident in the fact that Pharaoh Tutankhamen considered writing equipment essential for his journey into the afterlife.
The First American Notary Scandal
In 1639, Thomas Fugill became the first Notary of the American Colonies, serving in the New Haven Colony. Regrettably, he did not uphold the expectations of his role and was ousted from office for his fraudulent activities, specifically falsifying important documents.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person of integrity who is appointed by the state government, usually by the secretary of state, to act as an impartial witness in performing various official acts that help prevent fraud in the signing of important documents. These acts are known as notarizations or notarial acts. Notaries are considered “ministerial” officials, which means they are required to follow specific written rules and do not have the authority to make personal judgments, unlike “judicial” officials.
What does a Notary do?
A Notary’s responsibility is to verify the identity of individuals signing important documents, ensuring they are signing willingly and without any pressure or fear. They also ensure that signers are fully aware of the contents of the document or transaction. In certain cases, a Notary may also administer an oath to the signer, where they declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the document is accurate. Property deeds, wills, and powers of attorney are some examples of documents that often require the services of a Notary.
The Notary’s public trust is built upon impartiality, which requires them to refrain from acting in situations where they have a personal stake. The public relies on the Notary’s unbiased judgment, ensuring that their screening duties remain untainted by self-interest. Moreover, impartiality dictates that a Notary must never deny service to anyone based on factors such as race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or non-customer status.
Notaries Public are entrusted with the responsibility of verifying the accuracy and validity of documents that have a significant impact on the lives of private citizens. Through their official capacity, Notaries Public certify the proper execution of various transactions, including real estate transfers, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, and other activities that are crucial for maintaining order and legality in our society.
Why are Notaries and notarizations necessary?
Through notarization, Notaries actively discourage fraud and confirm that the signer is aware of the document they are signing and willingly taking part in the transaction.
How does a Notary identify a signer?
Typically, a Notary will request to view a valid identification document containing a photograph, physical description, and signature. Commonly accepted forms of identification include a driver’s license or passport.
Becoming a Notary Public
To become a Notary in your state, you must satisfy the eligibility criteria and complete the necessary steps outlined in your state’s commissioning process. The specific requirements may differ depending on the state you are in.