A notary public is a person authorised by a government to administer oaths, witness and authenticate documents, and perform a variety of other official duties. Notaries are primarily recognised and authorised where they are typically found in the public sector, such as government offices or law firms. Having a notary public available to you in your local area can be highly valuable when it comes actioning various legal tasks. Below we will explore the benefits of a notary public and how one can become one. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duties of a notary revolve around the authentication and verification of legal documents. This can include:

1. Taking Oaths: Notaries are often asked to administer oaths to witnesses or individuals who need to swear an oath to tell the truth. This duty often involves swearing in individuals to testify or sign legal documents.
2. Witnessing Signatures: Notaries are responsible for witnessing the signatures of individuals who need to authenticate documents. They may witness the signing of contracts, affidavits, or other legal documents that require a signature to be legally valid. If you are looking for a lawyer in your local area, consider asking if they have a notary public available in their Chatswood firm as this can help to fast-track any legal activities you may have when purchasing property or business happenings. 
3. Certifying Copies: Notaries are often authorised to certify copies of legal documents. This can involve verifying that a copy is a true and accurate representation of the original document, often by adding a notary's seal or signature.
4. Notarising Acknowledgements: Notaries may be asked to notarise an acknowledgement, which is a sworn statement that a signer has read and understood a document. This acknowledgment is commonly used for legal documents where a signature alone is not sufficient proof of consent or understanding.
5. Verifying Identity: Notaries are responsible for verifying the identity of individuals who need to authenticate documents. This can involve checking identification documents, such as driver's licenses or passports, to ensure that the signer is who they claim they are.
6. Recording Official Documents: Notaries are responsible for maintaining a record of all notarial acts they perform. They often keep a log or journal of all the documents they have witnessed or authenticated, which can be crucial in verifying the authenticity of legal documents.

Qualifications and Requirements

A notary public is bound by strict regulations and qualifications set by their jurisdiction. These requirements often include:

• Being a certain age, typically 18 or older
• Completing a formal training program or passing an exam
• Being of good moral character
• Being appointed by a government official or authorised body
• Maintaining a bond to guarantee their integrity
• Being authorised to practice within the jurisdiction's geographical boundaries

A notary public is a person authorised to perform a variety of official duties related to the authentication and verification of legal documents. Their primary responsibilities include administering oaths, witnessing signatures, certifying copies, notarising acknowledgements, verifying identity, and recording official documents.

Whether you are seeking a property lawyer in Chatswood to guide you through the purchasing process, or advice from a small business lawyer, please consider TY Lawyers for all your legal advisory services including notary public duties. To learn more about our team of friendly Lawyers in Chatswood, please contact us here.