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Each state authorizes a notary to perform a limited range of activities called notarizations. In some states a notary is authorized to solemize marriages. California notary law will be discussed here. See California Government Code Sections 8201 et seq.
Notarization does not prove the truthfulness of statements in a document. Notarization does not legalize or validate a document. Notarization does not protect your rights in artistic creations or inventions.
Notarization requires that the notary screen the signer. This involves reviewing identity cards (driver's license, etc.) or testimony from one or more credible identifying witnesses. If you need a document notarized, it is your responsibility to bring the necessary identification or witnesses. Next, the notary must complete a journal entry and finally the notary will complete the notarial act. In California, a thumbprint is required in the journal entry for certain types of transactions to prevent fraud. Documents with blank spaces cannot be notarized.
The two primary types of notarizations are acknowledgements and jurats.
Acknowledgments are executed on deeds, documents affecting property, and the like. An acknowledgment is a signed statement by the notary that the signer (1) personally appeared before the notary, (2) was positively identified by the notary, and (3) acknowledged having signed the document.
A jurat (or oath) is designed to compel truthfulness in a signer, e.g. by putting the fear of the law/god in them. A jurat is a signed statement by the notary that the signer (1) personally appeared before the notary, (2) signed the document in the presence of the notary, and (3) took and oath or affirmation administered by the notary, e.g. "Do you swear that the statements in this document are true, so help you God?" or "Do you affirm that the statements in this document are true?". Note that California law does not require identification of the signer for jurats, but few notaries will allow you to complete the notarization without identifying yourself.
Notaries are appointed by the Governor. An individual may become a notary public on (1) filling out an application; (2) having the application itself notarized; (3) having two persons who are registered voters to sign the application, attesting to the applicant's character; (4) Having the application signed by the Clerk of a Circuit Court or certain other public officials; and (5) sending the application with a fee (as of 2003 the fee was $35) to the Secretary of State in Richmond. The application is almost always approved. The Secretary of State will send the applicant's commission to the Clerk of the Circuit Court where the applicant asked it be issued. That clerk will swear the applicant, collect a fee of $10 (as of 2003), and give the applicant their commission. At that point the applicant is now commissioned as a Notary Public in and for the Commonwealth of Virginia. While the applicant must swear that they have read the notary laws, there is no test or special knowledge required.
Virginia does not require seals, but most people having documents authenticated expect them, so most notaries do carry and use them. No bond is required, and a notary is not required to keep a log of official acts.
A Virginia notary is not permitted to perform marriages, that requires a separate permission, either by being an official (such as a priest or a minister) of a church or other religious organization, or by paying a fee.
A notary applicant cannot have any (unpardoned) felony criminal convictions, and a felony conviction will void a notary's commission.
A Virginia notary is authorized to acknowledge signatures, take oaths, and certify copies of non-government documents. A notary may only authenticate a person based upon that person's documentation of their identity (such as a driver's license or identification card, or by the notary's own personal knowledge of the person appearing before them, use of witnesses to identify an individual is not permitted.
Acting as a notary without a valid commission constitutes a class 6 felony in Virginia.
The role undertaken by notaries in civil law countries is much greater than in common law countries. Notaries in the former countries frequently undertake work done in common law countries by the Titles Office and other Government agencies. The qualifications imposed by some countries is much greater. In Greece, for example, a practitioner must choose to be either a solicitor or a notary. This should be contrasted with the Latin American notario who may be similar to an attorney at law or lawyer. A French notaire and a German Notar register wills and other documents, and authenticates transactions of real estate.
In the few United States jurisdictions where trained notaries are allowed (such as Puerto Rico), the practice of these jurists is limited to non-judicial legal advice, property conveyencing and legal drafting. See civil law notary.
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