What is the primary role of a Notary Public?

The primary role of a Notary Public is to authenticate signatures and documents. Notaries serve as impartial witnesses during the signing of important documents, ensuring that the signatures are genuine and that the signers are who they claim to be. This function is crucial in preventing fraud and protecting the integrity of documents used in legal and financial transactions.

When a Notary Public witnesses a signature, they verify the identity of the signer through appropriate identification, confirm that the signer is signing willingly and without coercion, and then affix their official seal and signature to the document. This process helps to ensure that the documents are legally valid and can be relied upon in various situations, such as real estate transactions, wills, contracts, and more.

While maintaining public records, acting as a mediator, and providing legal advice may be roles associated with other professions or functions, they do not fall under the primary responsibilities of a Notary Public. A notary's authority is limited to verifying and authenticating documents rather than engaging in legal counsel or dispute resolution.