Notary and Apostille

A notary public is an individual commissioned by the Office of the Secretary of State to perform notarial acts which include:

• Taking an acknowledgement

• Administering an oath or affirmation

• Taking a verification on oath or affirmation

• Witnessing or attesting a signature

• Certifying or attesting a copy

• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument

Notarization protects against fraud. A notarized signature proves the signer appeared before the notary public. A signer must be in the physical presence of the notary before the notary may lawfully notarize the document. The notary also certifies that a signature is made willingly and freely. 

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