What is the primary role of a notary public?

The primary role of a notary public is to witness signatures and administer oaths. This function is crucial in ensuring the authenticity of documents and the integrity of the signing process. By acting as an impartial witness, a notary helps to deter fraud and assures all parties involved that the signatures were made willingly and under proper circumstances. Additionally, when a notary administers an oath, they are officially affirming that the individual is swearing to the truthfulness of the statements they are making, which is often necessary in legal and formal contexts.

Understanding this fundamental duty helps clarify why notaries do not typically engage in drafting legal documents, providing legal advice, or enforcing court judgments. Drafting documents often requires specific legal expertise, while providing legal advice is reserved for licensed attorneys. Notaries are not authorized to enforce court decisions, as their role is primarily administrative and focused on the validation of signatures and oaths, rather than legal representation or action.