The Role of A Notary

As a Notary, we uphold a vital position in the legal and business industry. Our role, often perceived as simply “Signing or notarizing a document,” is in fact, a complex and critical duty. Each day we face situations where our decisions challenge the expectations of our clients or their family members. Being a notary means taking on a public responsibility to safeguard against fraud and uphold the integrity of the legal process. How? We're glad you asked!

• We adhere to our professional and legal obligations with integrity, fairness, and transparency, not just when it's convenient but especially when it's complicated.

• Our clients entrust us with their legal and personal affairs, and in return, we honor that trust by performing our duties in an impartial, diligent, and thorough manner. When faced with difficult decisions, we do what's right, even if it's not the easiest choice.

• The law mandates that we verify a signer's identity through satisfactory evidence. This duty is non-negotiable. As notaries, we cannot waive these requirements based on convenience, relationship, or even pressure from a client or customer.

• As notaries, we are public officials bound by an oath to serve impartially. We are expected to decide based on what's right, even when the law doesn't provide clear direction.

• We promise to uphold the California Secretary of State's laws and duties, serve without bias, and perform our duties faithfully. This oath is not conditional on whether or not our work is recognized, praised, or even appreciated by others.

• We do the right thing even when no one is watching because we've sworn an oath to serve.