What Is a Notary Public? (And What Can They Actually Do?)
Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH
Quick Answer
- ✓ A notary public is a state-commissioned official who verifies identity and witnesses signatures.
- ✓ Notarization proves a document was signed by the right person, willingly — not that its contents are true or legal.
- ✓ A notary cannot give legal advice, choose your forms, or tell you what to sign.
- ✓ Ohio offers both traditional in-person notaries and online (remote) notarization.
Almost everyone is asked to “get something notarized” at some point — for an affidavit, a power of attorney, a vehicle title, a consent letter, or an immigration form. But what a notary public actually does is widely misunderstood. This guide explains, in plain language, what a notary is, what a notarization proves (and what it does not), and the limits every notary has to respect.
What a notary public actually is
A notary public is a person the state of Ohio has commissioned to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. The notary's core job is to confirm three things: that the people signing are who they say they are, that they appear to be signing of their own free will, and that they understand they are signing. The notary then records the act with a signature, an official seal, and a notarial certificate.
The key word is impartial. A notary is neutral. They do not take sides, do not have a financial interest in the document, and are not there to help one party get an advantage over another. That neutrality is exactly what gives a notarization its value: a stranger — a bank, a court, a foreign government — can trust that the signature is genuine because an independent official verified it.
What a notarization proves (and what it doesn't)
Here is the single most important thing to understand: a notarization is about the signature and the signer, not the contents of the document. When a notary stamps your affidavit, they are vouching that you are the person who signed it and that you did so willingly. They are not vouching that what the affidavit says is true, fair, or legally sound.
A notarized contract can still be a bad deal. A notarized statement can still be inaccurate. The notary's seal removes one specific doubt — “did the right person really sign this?” — and nothing more. That is enough to make documents far harder to forge or dispute, which is why so many institutions require it.
Acknowledgments vs. jurats
The two most common notarial acts are acknowledgments and jurats, and the difference matters:
- • Acknowledgment — the signer confirms to the notary that they signed the document voluntarily. You do not have to swear anything is true; you are simply acknowledging the signature is yours. Common on deeds, powers of attorney, and contracts.
- • Jurat — the signer takes an oath or affirmation that the statements in the document are true, then signs in front of the notary. Common on affidavits and sworn statements.
The notarial wording already printed on your document — the certificate block — tells the notary which act is required. For that reason, do not remove, edit, or guess at the notarial block. If it is missing or unclear, ask whoever requested the document, not the notary, since choosing the wording can stray into legal advice.
What a notary cannot do
A notary public is not a lawyer. To stay on the right side of the law, a notary cannot:
- • Give legal advice or tell you what a document means for your situation.
- • Choose which form you should use, or fill in legal terms for you.
- • Draft or prepare legal documents as if they were an attorney.
- • Notarize for someone who is not present, cannot be identified, or appears confused or coerced.
- • Notarize their own signature or a document in which they have a personal interest.
If a “notary” offers to advise you on immigration, court, or contract matters, be cautious — that is outside a notary's authority. (In some countries a notario is a trained legal professional, but in the United States a notary public is not.) For legal questions, see a licensed attorney.
Ohio notary types: in-person and online
Ohio recognizes traditional in-person notarization, where you and the notary are in the same room, and online (remote) notarization, sometimes called RON. With RON, an authorized notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature over approved, secure audio-video technology, so you do not have to travel. It is genuinely useful when distance, schedule, or mobility make an in-person visit hard — but not every document is eligible, and the rules are specific. Confirm with the receiving party and your notary before relying on it. You can read the official rules at ohiosos.gov/notary.
Need something notarized in Columbus?
Asal Multi Services provides walk-in notary public services for Columbus-area residents — affidavits, powers of attorney, title transfers, immigration declarations, and more, with apostille coordination when your document is headed abroad. We speak Somali, Arabic, and English.
Related guides
- → How to Get a Document Notarized (Step by Step)
- → Notary vs Apostille: What's the Difference?
- → What ID Do I Need for Notarization?
- → Notary Public Services (Columbus, OH)
- → Browse all Asal guides & resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a notary public actually do?
A notary public is an impartial, state-commissioned official who verifies the identity of the people signing a document, confirms they appear to be signing willingly and knowingly, and then witnesses the signature. The notary completes a notarial certificate with their signature and official seal. The notary is neutral and has no stake in the document itself.
Does getting something notarized make it legal or true?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. A notarization confirms who signed a document and that they signed it willingly. It does not certify that the contents are accurate, fair, complete, or legally valid. A notarized contract can still be a bad contract. Notarization is about the signature and the signer, not the substance.
What is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?
In an acknowledgment, the signer confirms to the notary that they signed the document voluntarily — common on deeds, powers of attorney, and contracts. In a jurat, the signer swears or affirms (under oath) that the statements in the document are true and signs in front of the notary — common on affidavits and sworn statements. The notarial wording on the document tells the notary which act is required.
Can a notary give me legal advice or pick my forms?
No. A notary public is not an attorney. A notary cannot give legal advice, tell you which form to use, explain your rights, or draft legal documents for you. Doing so would be the unauthorized practice of law. If you need legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney; a notary handles only the identity and signature steps.
What is online or remote notarization in Ohio?
Ohio authorizes online notarization (often called RON, for remote online notarization). An approved notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature over secure audio-video technology instead of meeting in person. It is convenient when an in-person visit is not practical, but not every document is eligible, so confirm before you rely on it.
When can a notary refuse to notarize my document?
A notary must decline if a signer cannot be properly identified, is not physically present (and the act is not eligible for remote notarization), appears confused or pressured, or if the document is blank or incomplete. The notary is protecting the integrity of the act, not being difficult — addressing the issue lets the notarization proceed.
Asal Multi Services is a non-attorney document service. A notary public verifies identity and witnesses signatures and cannot give legal advice. This guide is general information; verify current rules with the Ohio Secretary of State.