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 Texas, a notary public is an individual commissioned by the Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness to document signings, helping to deter fraud and ensure proper execution. To become a notary in Texas, applicants must meet certain qualifications such as being at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the state, and not having a criminal record that includes a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. The process involves completing an application, paying a fee, and purchasing a notary bond to protect the public from potential misconduct. Texas notaries are authorized to perform various notarial acts including taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, taking sworn statements, and certifying copies of non-recordable documents. Notarization is often required for legal documents such as affidavits, contracts, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and real estate deeds to ensure their validity and to provide a certified record of the transaction.