A notary public is a person authorized by law to administer oaths, certify documents and signatures, and perform other official commercial duties. Notaries are frequently employed to witness and verify signatures on a range of legal documents. The term notary public is often shortened to notary.
The requirements to become a notary public differ by state. For example, New York Executive Law §130 sets forth the conditions for serving as a notary public in New York State as follows: "The appointment of a notary public shall be for a term of four years. An application for an appointment as notary public shall be in form and set forth such matters as the secretary of state shall prescribe. Every person appointed as notary public must, at the time of his or her appointment, be a resident of the state of New York or have an office or place of business in New York state…”
[Last updated in August of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]