A notary, also known as a notary public, is a public official who has been authorized by the government to witness and certify the signing of important documents.

 

Notaries are responsible for verifying the identity of the signatories and ensuring that they are signing the document of their own free will and without coercion.  They also attest to the fact that the signatories are aware of the contents of the document and that they understand the implications of signing it.

 

Notaries are commonly used for the signing of legal documents such as wills, contracts, deeds, and powers of attorney. They are often required to maintain a record of the documents they notarize and may also administer oaths and affirmations. Notaries play an important role in preventing fraud and protecting the public from fraudulent activities, and their services are often required by law for certain types of transactions.