ARTICLES

The Notary Public

A notary public, also called a notary or public notary, is a public officer that is often misunderstood.  They are given legal authority, but are not lawyers, at least in common law states, which is every state except Louisiana.  In civil law states, notaries are actually lawyers admitted to the state bar.  In most every other case, though, they are designed to aid the public in non-contentious issues.  Most often, they serve to make things official or as a witness to transactions or signatures.

Roles of a Notary Public

The specific roles can vary by jurisdiction, especially between common and civil law systems, but for the most part, the duties of a notary public are somewhat consistent. The most common services include:

• Administration of oaths or affirmations
• Taking affidavits
• Witnessing and authenticating the signature and execution of certain documents
• Acknowledging deeds and other transactions

When a notary public is involved, the term used to describe their contribution is “notarize.” They can serve an important function, and it is often a necessary step to filing for various applications or documents.

Contact Us

If you feel that a contract has been broken or that you have been denied something because of a dispute over notarization, it can be extremely important to understand exactly what the law says.  An experienced legal team can be very helpful when trying to navigate these confusing issues, and we are here to help.

For more information, contact the Minneapolis business attorneys of Skjold ▪ Barthel, by calling 612-746-2560.