What is the primary purpose of a Notary Public?

The primary purpose of a Notary Public is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. This role is crucial in ensuring that the parties involved in a transaction or signing are who they say they are and are doing so willingly and without coercion. A Notary's function is to verify the identities of signers, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the documents being executed.

The impartiality of a Notary is key in maintaining trust in legal processes, as they must not have a personal stake in the transactions they witness. This act of witnessing helps to prevent fraud and ensures that the documents can be accepted by courts and other entities as legitimate and properly executed.

In contrast, providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, or representing individuals in court falls outside the scope of a Notary's duties. These activities require specialized knowledge and training in law beyond the Notary's role, which is primarily focused on verifying signers and administering oaths.