10 Facts About Notaries

1. The word "notary" comes from the Latin word "notarius," which means "secretary" or "scribe."
2. 
   Notaries have been around for thousands of years. The earliest known notary was a
   woman named En Hedu'anna who lived in ancient Mesopotamia around 2300 BC.
3. Notaries are public officials who are appointed by the government to witness and certify the signing of important documents.
4. Notaries are responsible for verifying the identity of the signers, making sure they understand the contents of the document, and ensuring that the signing is voluntary.
5. In most states, notaries are required to keep a record of every document they notarize, including the names of the signers, the date of the signing, and the type of document.
6. 
   In some countries, such as France and Italy, notaries are highly respected and have a
   lot of power. They can perform many of the same functions as lawyers, including drafting contracts and representing clients in court.
7. 
   In the United States, notaries are regulated by the states, and the requirements for becoming a notary vary from state to state. Most states require notaries to pass a test
   and be appointed by the state government. Virginia is a self-certifying state and requires not training or exam. In Georgia, notaries are commissioned by each individual county, and not via a central state agency.
8. 
   Maine, Minnesota,South Carolina, Florida and Nevada are states where notaries may currently perform marriages within their state.
9. Notaries are often used in international business transactions to verify the authenticity* of documents and signatures. *Not all states allow a notary to authenticate a document. California being one of them.
10. Notaries play a key role in preventing fraud and ensuring the integrity of important legal documents.