Top 5 Responsibilities of a Notary Public

Among the most important duties of a Florida notary public is verifying the identity, comprehension, and intent of the person signing or taking an oath or acknowledgment. This is why notaries should always request signed and pictured IDs, carry Errors and omissions Insurance, and take reasonable care when performing notarial acts.

Authenticating Signatures

Many people serve as notaries public in addition to their full-time jobs. This allows them to earn extra income and notarize various documents.

Authentication involves the signer appearing personally before you, declaring they are signing the document voluntarily and not under duress. You then complete a notarial certificate that indicates either an acknowledgment or oath was taken.

Sometimes, a notary must authenticate signatures bound for use in another state or country. A notary may also have to affix a seal or stamp on the documents and obtain an apostille or certificate of notarial authority. This process verifies that the notary is commissioned correctly and has the authority to notarize the documents.

Solemnizing Marriages

Performing wedding ceremonies is one of the many honors that can come with being a Florida notary. This responsibility, however, is accompanied with great care.

A notary should never solemnize a marriage for their family members or in any situation where they have some invested interest. This is considered a breach of trust and can leave notaries vulnerable to potential liability.

Before a notary can participate in a marriage ceremony, they must verify that the state properly issues the marriage license. They can do this by checking the effective and expiration dates and ensuring that all signatures on the record are authentic. They should also record the date and other details of the ceremony in their notary journal or records book.

Taking Oaths

Florida notaries are authorized to take oaths and affirmations from those who sign essential documents. This ensures the document or statement is authentic and can serve as evidence in court cases. A notary must verify each signer’s identity and confirm they voluntarily sign under no duress or coercion.

This requires the notary to identify each person positively using an acceptable government-issued photo ID or by personally knowing them. Notaries are also urged to exercise caution when presented with IDs that contain personal information or need to be pictured clearly.

Taking Testimony

Notaries are responsible for examining documentation that identifies a signer. This includes ensuring that the identification is signed and dated. A notary must use common sense and reasonable care when presented with identification that is questioned or suspected. For example, notaries should never notarize a signature on paper when the person’s picture or description does not match their face.

Notary public responsibilities also include:

• Administering oaths and affirmations.
• Taking acknowledgments.
• Attesting to copies of nonrecordable documents.
• Solemnizing marriages.
• Certifying the contents of safe deposit boxes.

Florida notaries are among the few officials authorized to verify vehicle identification numbers, often performed by car dealerships.

Taking Depositions

Becoming a notary can be an easy and rewarding way to earn extra income. Many notaries work this job alongside a full-time career and enjoy the flexibility it offers them to complete their duties outside regular business hours.

To become a notary public in Florida, you must meet the following requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and a legal state resident. Your residency must be maintained throughout your notary commission, lasting four years. You must also complete an affidavit of character from someone who has known you well for at least one year and can verify in a court of law that you are a person of good character. It’s also important to have Errors and Omissions Insurance, which is not required by the state but can help protect you from liability for any mistakes you may make while performing notary duties.