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What Does a Texas Notary Do?

by the American Association of Notaries

Over four million people in the United States (over 400,000 in Texas alone!) are notaries public. A common impression among most people is that a Texas notary is just someone who “witnesses” or “verifies” signatures. However, a Texas notary’s duties are a lot more complicated than that. Here is a more complete description:


A Texas notary is a person of proven integrity appointed by the State of Texas to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts authorized by law.

Before being recognized as public officials of the State of Texas, notaries must take an oath in which they swear to support, protect, and defend the constitutions of Texas and the United States

Notaries play an essential role in the functioning of our legal and commercial systems. They hold a position of trust. The public relies upon notaries to ensure integrity in the execution and signing of business, personal, and legal documents. Properly notarized documents can help bind agreements, prevent disputes, and protect against fraud. However, it is important for notaries to keep in mind that notarization does not guarantee the legal sufficiency, authenticity, or truthfulness of a document’s content. Notarization only guarantees:

 

  1. The signer has been positively identified by the Texas notary.
  2. The signer has personally appeared before the Texas notary to sign the document willingly, without any coercion, and for the purpose stated on the document.
  3. The Texas notary performed the notarial act on the date stated on the notarial certificate.
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Legal disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries seeks to provide timely articles for notaries to assist them with information and ideas for managing their notary businesses, enhancing their notary educations, and securing their notary supplies but makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained . Information in this article is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding federal laws and statutes and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered the information from a variety of sources. We do not warrant the information gathered from those sources. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of an attorney in their state if they have legal questions about how to notarize.
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Texas notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, the American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company (established 1900). American Association of Notaries is owned by Kal Tabbara, a licensed insurance agent in Texas.