Why do documents require notarizing?
First and foremost, to deter fraud. To help protect the rights of the persons whose signatures are being notarized. It is the legal responsibility of the notary, serving as an impartial witness and public official (yes, notary publics are state-appointed public officials), to ensure that the signers of notarized documents are indeed who they claim to be, and not impostors. It is also incumbent upon the notary to make certain that signers enter into notarized agreements knowingly and willingly, with full understanding, free of coercion or duress. Because deliberate acts of fraud are attempted – and perpetrated – frequently, it is important that signers of notarized documents be protected as diligently as possible.
