What Does the Act of Notarization Accomplish?

• The act of notarization protects against fraud.
• A notarized signature proves the signer appeared before the notary public. The signer must be in the physical presence of the notary before the notary may lawfully notarize.
• The notary certifies that a signature is made willingly and freely.
• A notarization does not prove a document or statement is true or accurate, nor does a notarization validate or legalize a document.