What is a "Notary Public bond" designed to do?

A Notary Public bond is designed to protect the public from potential mistakes or misconduct by the Notary. This bond serves as a form of insurance that ensures that if a Notary's actions result in financial loss or harm to a third party – due to neglect, fraud, or misconduct – the bond can provide compensation to the affected party.

This mechanism protects individuals who rely on the Notary's services for important documents, such as contracts, property deeds, or legal filings, by offering a financial recourse in the event that the Notary fails to perform their duties properly. It is important for maintaining public trust in the notarization process and providing accountability for Notaries.

Other options, while they may touch on aspects of the role of a Notary, do not accurately describe the purpose of a Notary Public bond. For instance, such bonds do not provide salary to the Notary; rather, they are a financial safety net for the public. Additionally, while bonds contribute to the credibility of Notaries, they do not serve the function of verifying credentials, as that typically falls under the purview of state authorities who issue Notary commissions. Lastly, while Notaries may face lawsuits, the bond itself is not designed to protect the Notary