A notary public is a person who is appointed or commissioned by a state to act as an impartial witness to the signing of important legal documents. Notary public appointments are usually handled by a state’s Secretary of State’s office and require a potential notary to meet eligibility requirements, take a notary training course, and pass a state notary exam.

Many different types of legal documents may need to be notarized—such as an affidavit, contract, will, trust, power of attorney, power of attorney for health care, divorce papers, deed, mortgage, or deed of trust.

In North Dakota, a notary public is an individual commissioned by the Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. To become a notary in North Dakota, one must meet certain eligibility criteria, which typically include being at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the United States, and able to read and write English. The process involves completing a notary application, paying the required fee, and obtaining a notary bond. North Dakota does not require notaries to take a training course or pass a notary exam, which is different from some other states. Once appointed, a notary in North Dakota is authorized to notarize documents such as affidavits, contracts, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, divorce papers, deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust. Notaries must follow state laws regarding the notarization process, including the requirement to maintain a notary journal and the use of a notary seal or stamp to authenticate notarized documents.