A Notary Public is a public officer appointed by a state government to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents. The primary role of a Notary Public is to verify the identity of the signer, ensure their willingness to sign the document, and confirm that they are aware of the contents of the document. The Notary Public then applies their official seal or stamp to the document, indicating that the necessary verification has taken place.
Here are some key responsibilities of a Notary Public:
- Identity Verification: Verify the identity of the document signer through government-issued identification.
- Witnessing Signatures: Witness the signing of documents to deter fraud and ensure the authenticity of the signatures.
- Oath or Affirmation: Administer oaths or affirmations when required, confirming the truthfulness of the information in the document.
- Notarization Certificate: Complete a notarization certificate, including the notary’s signature, seal, and other relevant details.
- Journal Entry: Maintain a notary journal in some jurisdictions, recording details of each notarization for record-keeping purposes.
A Mobile Notary is a Notary Public who travels to the location of the person needing notarization services. This service is designed for individuals or businesses that may find it challenging to travel to a fixed notary office. Mobile Notaries provide the same notary services but offer the added convenience of meeting clients at their preferred location, whether it be a home, office, hospital, or another agreed-upon place.
Key features of a Mobile Notary:
- Travel Convenience: Brings notary services to the client’s location, offering flexibility and convenience.
- On-the-Spot Notarization: Performs notarization on-site, eliminating the need for clients to travel to a notary office.
- Additional Fees: Mobile Notaries often charge additional fees for their travel and on-site services.
Both Notary Public and Mobile Notary services play crucial roles in ensuring the authenticity and legality of important documents, with the key difference being the mobility and on-site service provided by the latter.