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. 

Disclaimer: Content provided on this website is for informational purposes and not intended as advice. Consultation with legal, tax, and/or business professionals is recommended to ensure appropriate consideration of the implications of your decisions.