A notary public, or simply a notary, is an official who is authorized by the government to witness the signing of documents and to certify that the signatures are genuine. Notaries also administer oaths and affirmations, and may take depositions. In some jurisdictions, notaries may also perform other duties, such as certifying copies of documents and authenticating foreign documents.
Notaries are important because they help to prevent fraud and forgery. By verifying the identity of the person who is signing a document, a notary helps to ensure that the document is genuine and that the person who signed it is who they say they are. This can be especially important for documents that are used to transfer property or to create a legal obligation.
