subject: Being a Notary Public Makes You a More Valuable Employee [print this page] Author: Greg Prather Author: Greg Prather
There seems to be a continuing need for more notary publics in my work place, why is this, and what do notaries do? A registered notary public is often in demand in banks, real estate firms and legal offices that have official documents that need to be signed. Want to earn some brownie points with your employer? Becoming a notary public could be the solution??in most states it??s fairly easy to do. Your employer will appreciate your added value as a notary, and your resume always will look better with that extra item. If asked, much of the public probably couldn??t tell you what a notary public does. Important legal documents require that an impartial witness be present when the signing takes place. The notary acts as an impartial witness when the signers of legal documents agree that the facts of the document are correct. Notarization is necessary not only for day to day business functions, but also to help protect the general public from fraud. The list of documents that require notarization would include mortgages, real estate deeds, affidavits, loans and contracts. As a notary, your signature and stamp verifies that the people signing the documents are willingly entering into a contract. The notary verifies the identity of document signers by checking their drivers license. After their identity is verified and they sign the document, you put a notary jurat stamp on it, seal it and sign it. A statement stamped at the end of the document that contains the name of the signers, the date they signed and that the notary was a witness is called the notary jurat. The only condition under which a notary public would offer legal advice is one where the notary is also a lawyer. Here are a few tips to consider if you??re thinking of becoming a notary public. The requirements for becoming a notary differ from state to state. Your notary certification normally only certifies you to perform notary duties in your home state. A notary in Van Nuys, California needs to have cleared a background check, paid a number of fees, taken classes and passed a written test. Notary licenses are as accessible as drivers licenses in other states. Simple renewals are the rule of the day. A notaries term expires after four years and reappointment is required in most states. In Florida, to get a notary renewal, you just print the form, make a copy of your current or expired Florida notary license, send your proof of Florida residency and $95 to the Florida Notary Association. About the Author:
