The True Purpose of a Notary Public

Originally Posted 1/23/22

I don’t have any memory of needing or using a notary. I am sure I must have at some point, but I haven’t bought a home yet, so I never thought about it. A friend I had at the bank where my clients did their business was a notary and introduced me to the field. Becoming a notary was a journey that took me about 2-3 years. Not because I am a slow learner but because I am a thorough learner. If something comes across my consciousness and piques my interest, before you know it, I am knee-deep and consumed in research and self-education until I become pretty proficient in whatever I am taking on at that moment. Ask me anything about raising chickens, for example. So, as with many other things, what a notary is and their purpose intrigued me. With all my years of digging and research and now my first year as a notary public, I want to share with you the true purpose of a notary public today.

The notary public’s history and purpose have changed over the thousands of years notaries have been in use. Most facts will be repurposed from the National Notary Associations Website article on the History of the Notary Public.

Notaries were required in some form from as far back as 2750 B.C. Titled “Scribes” in ancient Egypt, notaries handled every type of official communication and recorded history. Notaries made a name for themselves in the Roman Empire in 535. Records of Notaries or Notarial acts are being done in every major historical era. Notaries were part of the aftermath of the Knights of Templar in defiance against the papal throne; they traveled with Christopher Columbus to keep accurate records of supplies and riches for the Spanish Crown. The beginning of our nation is filled with important historical figures who were. Notaries have been around and risen in importance throughout history.

So today, in 2022, what is the current purpose of a Notary Public? The role of a Notary today is still much the same as it has been for the last few hundred years. The NNA, The National Notary Association, defines the notary well on its informational pages. They write, “A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government — typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing various official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. These official acts are called notarizations or notarial acts. Notaries are publicly commissioned as "ministerial" officials, meaning that they are expected to follow written rules without the exercise of significant personal discretion, as would otherwise be the case with a "judicial" official.” (NNA)

To simply explain, a notary’s purpose is to be on the front lines of fraud protection. We are like consumer superheroes, protecting your identity and the validity of your essential documents but ensuring you are who you say you are. Through varied processes, we verify your identity and record the type of documents you are signing. If done correctly, the notaries’ journal can provide solid evidence in legal proceedings, as they are commissioned as persons of integrity by the secretary of state.

So, when you come across a document you need notarized, I hope this short explanation will give you a better understanding of the importance and the role of a Notary Public.

Of course, I am a Notary in the Central Valley of California. If you need anything notarized, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or text or book me through my website.

-Jennifer Cooper

JKC Mobile Notary

559-212-4706

jcooper@jkcmobilenotary.com