What is a public notary?

A notary public is a state-appointed official who serves as an impartial witness in acts related to the signing of important documents, such as property deeds, wills and powers of attorney, explains the National Notary Association. Among other things, notaries public verify the identity of document signers.

As of 2015, there are 4.4 million public notaries in the United States, according to the National Notary Association. Nine states require individuals to undergo some form of training or education to become a notary, while 12 states require an individual to pass an exam. The cost to become a notary varies from less than $100 to multiples hundreds of dollars. In general, a criminal record disqualifies an individual from serving as a notary public.