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 West Virginia (WV), 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 WV, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, which typically include being at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and having no significant criminal history. The process involves completing a notary application, paying the required fee, and obtaining a notary bond. West Virginia 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 public in WV is authorized to perform notarial acts such as acknowledging signatures, administering oaths and affirmations, taking verifications upon oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting signatures, and certifying or attesting copies of documents. The types of documents that may require notarization in WV include affidavits, contracts, wills, trusts, powers of attorney (including those for health care), divorce papers, deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust.