Basic Notary Services
- The following are brief descriptions of the most common notarial acts or duties. In the State of Texas a Notary Public is authorized to take Acknowledgements, administer oaths, take depositions, and certify copies of documents not recordable in the public records. Ultimately the role of a Notary varies and revolves around confirming the truth and authenticity of information.
Acknowledgements
An acknowledgement is usually required for documents pertaining to assets like a mortgage or a deed. An acknowledgement confirms the identity of the person signing that that the signature was not provided under pressure (coerced or forced), but rather voluntarily (under their own power or decision).
Oath or Affirmation
When a document or transaction requires that the signer(s) swear an oath or have to affirm to a notary, that the contents of a document are true. Oath and Affirmations are a little different. An affirmation is a pledge of honor, while an oath is a pledge to a higher being. Both acts, an oath and affirmation are acts indicating truthfulness.
Jurats
Jurat’s simply confirms the authenticity and validity of the information in a document. The Notary and signer must be together and the Notary must lead the signer through an oath, in which he or she confirms the statements made within the document are true.
Signature Witnessing
There are times when a Notary simply has to witness an individual’s signing of an instrument (document or contract) that requires neither an acknowledgement nor an oath or affirmation.
Copy Certification
In Texas a Notary may NOT certify copies of government issued documents, only a governmental agency can do that. However, a Notary in Texas does have the authority to certify copies of original documents that are not recordable in the public records.
Examples:
A Notary may NOT certify copies of Birth Certificates or Passports
A Notary may certify a copy of an employment contract or diplomas