What is the primary responsibility of a notary public?

The primary responsibility of a notary public is to authenticate signatures and documents. This role is crucial in the legal and business processes as it ensures that the identities of the signers are verified and that they understand the documents they are signing. By witnessing signatures, the notary helps prevent fraud and enhances the integrity of legal transactions. The notary's certification serves as a tool that adds a layer of trust and validity to various documents, including contracts, affidavits, and property deeds.

While providing legal representation in court, giving legal advice, or training other notaries may be important roles in the legal profession, they fall outside the scope of a notary's duties. A notary does not provide legal representation or advice, as that would require a law degree and proper licensing. Instead, their focus is solely on what is involved in the notarization process, which centers around verifying identity and ensuring that documents are signed appropriately and authentically.