What Is a Notary and When Do You Need One?

What Does a Notary Public Do?

A notary public is a state-commissioned official who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. Their primary role is to verify the identity of the people signing, confirm that signers are acting willingly and understand what they are signing, and deter fraud by adding an official seal and signature to the document.

Notarization does not mean a notary is approving or reviewing the legal content of a document. Instead, the notary is certifying that the signing process itself was legitimate and properly conducted.

In Maryland, notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State and must follow specific laws and procedures outlined in state statutes.

Common Notarial Acts

Not all notarizations are the same. Here are the most common types of notarial acts you may encounter:

Acknowledgments

An acknowledgment is when a signer appears before a notary and confirms that they signed a document voluntarily. This is one of the most common notarial acts and is frequently required for real estate deeds, powers of attorney, and other property-related documents.

Oaths and Affirmations

A notary can administer oaths and affirmations, where a person swears or affirms that the statements they are making are truthful. This is common in affidavits, depositions, and certain government filings.

Jurats

A jurat requires the signer to sign the document in the notary’s presence and then swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true. The notary verifies both the identity of the signer and the truthfulness of the statements.

Witnessing Signatures

In some cases, a notary simply witnesses a signature without requiring an oath. This is often needed for contracts, consent forms, and business agreements.

Certifying Copies

A notary can certify that a copy of an original document is a true and accurate reproduction. This is commonly used for diplomas, transcripts, and personal identification documents.

When Do You Need a Notary?

Many people only think about notaries when they are buying or selling a home. But notary services are needed far more often than most people realize. Here are some of the most common situations:

Real Estate Transactions

Buying, selling, or refinancing a home almost always requires notarized documents. Deeds, mortgage documents, and closing paperwork all typically need notarization to be legally valid.

Legal and Estate Documents

Wills, powers of attorney, living trusts, and advance healthcare directives often need to be notarized to ensure they hold up in court and are recognized by financial institutions.

Financial Documents

Loan applications, title transfers, and certain banking documents frequently require notarization. If you are applying for a significant loan or transferring ownership of an asset, expect a notary to be involved.

Business Documents

Contracts, partnership agreements, articles of incorporation, and certain filings with state agencies may all require notarization. If you are starting a business or entering into a formal business arrangement, check whether your documents need a notary seal.

Affidavits and Sworn Statements

Any document that requires a sworn statement – such as an affidavit for court, an immigration application, or an insurance claim – will likely need notarization.

International Documents

If you are sending documents abroad or dealing with international transactions, you may need an apostille, which is a form of authentication recognized by countries that are part of the Hague Convention. In Maryland, an apostille is obtained through the Secretary of State after the document has been notarized.

Mobile Notary and Remote Online Notarization

Traditionally, getting a document notarized meant visiting a bank, law office, or government office during business hours. That is not always practical, especially when you have a busy schedule, limited mobility, or an urgent deadline.

Mobile Notary Services

A mobile notary travels directly to you – whether that is your home, office, hospital, or any other convenient location. This is especially helpful for elderly individuals, people recovering from surgery, or anyone who simply cannot get to a notary office during regular hours.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Maryland law authorizes remote online notarization, which allows you to have documents notarized via a secure video conference. You connect with the notary through an approved platform, verify your identity through knowledge-based authentication, and sign the document digitally. The notary applies a digital seal, and the entire session is recorded for security.

RON is a game-changer for people who need notarization quickly, are out of state, or prefer the convenience of handling everything from their computer or phone.

How EmpowerU Can Help

At EmpowerU, we offer both mobile notary and remote online notarization services across Maryland, including Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Prince George’s County. Whether you need a single document notarized or have a complex loan signing with dozens of pages, we make the process simple, professional, and stress-free.

Our approach is straightforward:

• Convenience: We come to you or connect with you online, on your schedule.
• Transparency: We provide clear pricing upfront with no hidden fees.
• Professionalism: Every notarization is conducted in full compliance with Maryland law.

If you need notary services or have questions about whether your document requires notarization, reach out to EmpowerU. We are here to help.

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