A notary is a public official who is authorized by the government to witness and certify the signing of legal documents. The role of a notary is to prevent fraud and ensure that the signatories of a document are who they say they are.

Notaries are typically appointed by the state government and are responsible for verifying the identity of the signatories, ensuring that they are signing the document voluntarily, and making a record of the transaction.

Common documents that may require notarization include wills, deeds, powers of attorney, affidavits, and contracts. When a document is notarized, the notary places a seal or stamp on the document, indicating that they have verified the identity of the signatories and witnessed the signing of the document.