What is a Notary Public?

Why Working With a Professional Notary Matters

Notarization is more than just a stamp — it’s a safeguard. Proper notarization helps ensure documents are legally valid, accepted by institutions, and protected against fraud or future disputes.

Choosing a knowledgeable, compliant notary gives you peace of mind that your documents are handled correctly the first time.

Understanding the Notary's Role

Verifying a signer’s identity is the most widely recognized duty of a notary, it is not the only responsibility. A notary must also confirm that each signer is acting willingly—free from duress or intimidation—and that they are aware of and understand the document or transaction being notarized, ensuring they are competent to proceed.

Notaries are required to remain impartial at all times and may not perform a notarization if they have a personal or financial interest in the transaction.

Finally, a United States Notary Public is not an attorney, judge, or government official, and is not a Notario Público. A notary does not provide legal advice or represent clients in legal matters.

What a Notary Is Not Allowed to Do

A notary’s role is limited by law. In Florida, a notary may NOT:

❌ Give legal advice or explain legal consequences

❌ Prepare legal documents (unless they are an attorney)

❌ Choose which notarization a document needs

❌ Notarize a document without the signer present

❌ Notarize their own signature or documents they personally benefit from

❌ Notarize incomplete or blank documents

❌ Proceed if the signer appears confused, coerced, or incapable

A professional notary will pause or refuse a notarization if any legal requirement is not met — this protects everyone involved.