What is a Notary Public?

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Oftentimes a person doesn't know what a Notary is or what a Notary does until they have a document that requires Notarization.  

You may have a document from a Lawyer, or the Department of Motor Vehicles, or an official Missouri State Document that requires a Notaries signature. A Notary can also Notarize a handwritten document or a document that you have typed up yourself. 

Contrary to popular belief, a Notary isn't as much concerned with the document itself as they are with witnessing the signatures of the document and verifying the identity of the signers. Of course the Notary will also need to be sure the document is complete, not fraudulent and agreed to by all parties. 

Notaries are commissioned by the State. Notaries can only Notarize a document while the signer is standing in front of the Notary with their current ID - which can be a Drivers License, State Issued ID, or Government Passport. 

A Notary is important as their Notarization - a Notary signature and Notary Stamp on a document makes a document officially Notarized. However if it isn't done properly, it may not be valid. 

In order for a document to be Notarized properly, it must contain certain information to be valid

• Notarial wording - requirements differ in each state
• Person(s) named within the document
• Person(s) signing the document - must be signed and dated in front of a Notary
• Document must be completed prior to the Notary being able to Notarize the document - no blanks or areas left to be filled in later
• All signers must be present with a valid ID - Drivers license, State issued ID or Passport
• Does your document require witnesses? Witnesses must have valid ID and can NOT be mentioned in or related to anyone mentioned in the document(s). Witnesses MUST be present to witness signing. 
• Notary will witness all people signing document and verify all identities
• Notary will record the process and information in their Notary Journal and require all people to sign their Notary Journal 
• Finally, the Notary will Sign and Stamp the document(s)