Becoming a notary public in the US varies by state, but generally requires being 18 years old, a resident of the state, and paying a fee for a stamp. Notaries are in high demand and often work as a second job. Their presence deters fraud and forgery in the legal system.
The person in the legal system you are most likely to come into contact with is the notary public. They are everywhere – more than 4 million in the United States alone – and they need to be, because their services are constantly in demand. Best of all, they pay a fee each time they stamp a document or validate a signature. For many, it sounds like a great job.
So how does one become a notary? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer because requirements vary from state to state. There are, however, some commonalities.
To become a notary, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state in which you are applying to practice. An application for a notary can be obtained in that state or from the National Association of Notaries, which has tried to reduce the confusion created by state-by-state variations.
Most states require a title to be released before a notary can take office, and there is usually a filing fee. States often offer classes or workshops to give prospective notaries an overview of what the job entails – and, yes, there may be a test. On the other hand, few states have specific education requirements.
Oh, and that stamp – perhaps one of the main reasons many people want to become a notary? Notaries need to buy this themselves. This usually occurs after they have sworn in in front of another notary. Fees are set by the state as well.
Once you become a notary, it’s important to get your name out there. For most notaries, this function is a second job and it is rare to find someone who occupies a real notary. Professionals range from legal clerks to librarians and bookstore employees, and it rarely matters to people seeking their service. With notaries, like bathrooms, the closest often becomes the first choice.
Basically, a notary’s job in the United States is simply to testify in various ways, although they may take on the duties and status of attorneys in other countries. In the United States, its mere presence provides a significant deterrent to fraud and forgery, and the inconvenience of having to find one is often replaced by the fact that a notary seal greases the wheels of the legal system.
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