What is one of the main responsibilities of a Notary in Pennsylvania?

One of the main responsibilities of a Notary in Pennsylvania is to ensure that signers understand the documents they are signing. This involves confirming that individuals are fully aware of the contents and implications of the documents, which protects parties from fraud and ensures that consent is informed. The notary's role includes verifying the identity of the signers and assessing their willingness to sign without any coercion, which directly ties into their duty of ensuring understanding.

This responsibility is crucial because if a signer does not understand what they are agreeing to, it could lead to legal disputes or enforceability issues in the future. By facilitating this understanding, notaries contribute to the integrity of the notarization process and help maintain the legal standing of the documents being executed.

Other options, such as preparing legal documents or providing legal advice, do not fall under the responsibilities of a notary, as these actions are outside the scope of their role. Notaries are also not witnesses in court in the same capacity as they are when performing notarizations; their primary function relates to the authentication of signatures rather than participation in legal proceedings.