Notarization is the process by which a notary public, an official appointed by the government, certifies the authenticity of a signature on a document. The notary public verifies the identity of the person signing the document and confirms that they are signing it voluntarily and with a clear understanding of its contents.
Notarization is often required for legal documents such as deeds, contracts, powers of attorney, and affidavits. By notarizing a document, the notary public provides an impartial witness to the signing and helps prevent fraud and forgery.
The notary public adds their official seal or stamp to the document and signs it, indicating that they have verified the identity of the signer and witnessed the signing. This certification makes the document legally binding and admissible as evidence in court.
It is important to note that notarization does not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of the contents of the document. It only confirms the authenticity of the signature and the identity of the signer.