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A notary public is a public official, appointed by the state government, who serves the public by serving mainly as an impartial witness. In most states, the Secretary of State appoints them and they serve as an official representative of the state or county government. Their main function is to protect against fraud, usually by witnessing and signing of official documents.

When serving as a witness to the signing of an official document, a notary public has three main duties. First, in many instances, they must check the true identity of the people signing the document. This usually includes checking their driver's license or other identification materials. Secondly, they check to see if they are truly willing to sign the document. They ask question to make sure the person isn't sign under duress or due to intimidation. Finally, they make sure they understand the basics of the document they are signing. Additionally in some cases, a notary public may take a sworn oath from the person about the truth of the information in the document.

There are many types of documents that notary publics are used for and provide notary services for. Some of the most common are property deeds, wills, and power of attorneys. However, they also help with mortgage documents, birth and death certificates, and much more. Notary services are required in many industries including real estate, law, financial planners, banking, credit unions, savings and loans companies, retirement facilities, hospital and convalescent facilities, long term care facilities, hospice facilities, and immigration centers. Their services play an integral role in business and society.

They may perform notarial duties as their part time or full time employment. In most states the cost for getting a document notarized can range from $.50 to $10.00. The price depends on the document you need notarized and normally the more serious the document, the more expensive the fee. Some notaries will also charge additional fees when an oath must be taken. The state government normally sets the fees and notaries must all charge the same amount. They can however charge for traveling expenses if they provide mobile notary services. Furthermore, as technology continues to grow, some states allow notaries to perform their duties electronically, which means that they notarize documents online.

Depending on the state you live in there are different procedures to become a notary public. In many states a notary public must complete an application and take a notary exam. They also may need to get a letter of recommendation from a public official. Sometimes a notary also needs to take a course to learn about the duties of a notary public. Since the requirements and duties of a notary public can be very complicated, many people recommend you only work with a notary who has completed a notary course online or in person.

If you need to work with a notary public, there are many ways to find a credible one. The easiest way is to ask friends and relatives. Since needing notary services is common, likely someone you know has a notary public they trust. If not, a smart way to find a notary public is to reach out to the Better Business Bureau in your area or the Chamber of Commerce. Both will have recommendations for credible ones.

Interested in learning more about how to become a notary in your state or notary exams and applications, visit http://www.notaryexam.org to find step by step guides on becoming a notary. NotaryExam.org was created by notaries who have been in business for over 10 year.

By Kristen M.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_M.