What is the primary role of a notary public?

The primary role of a notary public is to act as an impartial witness to document signing. This function is essential because it helps to ensure the authenticity of signatures and the integrity of the documents being notarized. When a notary witnesses a signature, they verify the identity of the signers, confirm that they are signing voluntarily and understand the content of the document, and administer an oath if necessary. This process helps to enhance trust in the documents, thereby helping to reduce fraud and protect the interests of all parties involved.

In contrast, collecting fees for notarization services does not define the role of a notary; it is simply a byproduct of the service provided. Providing legal advice or preparing legal documents also fall outside the scope of a notary's responsibilities. Notaries are not authorized to give legal counsel or create legal documents, as doing so would require legal qualifications and could create a conflict of interest. Thus, the function of witnessing signatures is pivotal to the notary's duties and overall purpose in the legal system.