A Massachusetts notary public (or notary, or public notary) is tasked with verifying the authenticity of your most important transactions and verifying your signature on your legal and financial documents. Their consent is often the final step in establishing power of attorney, closing on a home mortgage, or opening a retirement account. So what is a notary public? Who are the people that stamp your documents, and what does it take to earn their (literal) seal of approval?

What Does a Notary Public Do?

A notary public is a public official appointed by the Massachusetts government to help deter fraud. Notary publics witness the signing of important documents and verify the identity of the signer(s), their willingness to sign the documents, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction.

These documents include:

• Cori Checks
• I-9 Forms
• Estates
• Deeds
• Powers of attorney
• Affidavits
• Licenses
• Contracts
• Loan documents
• Trusts

Administering oaths and affirmations; Notary publics offer a legal service that impacts numerous institutions. Their responsibilities include:

• Taking affidavits and statutory declarations;
• Taking acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances;
• Protesting notes and bills of exchange; and
• Providing notice of foreign drafts.