A notary public is a person officially authorized by the government to witness important document signings and verify that the people signing are who they claim to be. When you sign certain legal papers like property deeds, powers of attorney, or sworn statements, a notary public watches you sign, checks your identification, and then stamps and signs the document to confirm they witnessed it.

Think of a notary as an official witness whose job is to prevent fraud and forgery. If someone later claims “that's not my signature” or “I never signed that,” the notary's record helps prove what really happened. Their stamp, called a notarial seal, shows that someone with government authority verified the signing.

Many banks, law offices, and post offices have notaries on staff. Some librarians and teachers can become notaries too. To become a notary public, a person must apply to their state government, pass a test about notary rules, and take an oath promising to do the job honestly. The title “public” means they serve the general public, not just one company or organization.