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 Virginia, a notary public is an individual commissioned by the Commonwealth to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth handles the appointment of notaries. To become a notary in Virginia, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, which typically include being at least 18 years old, having the ability to read and write English, and being a legal resident of the United States. Virginia residents or those working in the state may apply. Non-residents can also become notaries if they regularly conduct business in Virginia. Applicants are required to complete a notary application and pay the applicable fee. Virginia does not require a training course or state notary exam, which sets it apart from some other states. However, notaries are expected to be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary public as outlined by Virginia law. Notarized documents in Virginia can include affidavits, contracts, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, divorce papers, deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust, among others.