What is the primary responsibility of a Notary Public in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the primary responsibility of a Notary Public is to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of documents. This role is crucial because it contributes to the integrity of the notarization process and helps prevent fraud. By witnessing the signing of a document, a Notary ensures that the individuals involved are who they claim to be and that they are entering into the agreement willingly and without coercion.

This impartiality is paramount; notaries have a duty to remain neutral and cannot have a personal interest in the transaction for which they are officiating. This enhances the credibility of the documents being notarized and makes them more likely to be accepted by courts and other institutions. The training and guidelines governing Notaries in Pennsylvania emphasize this role, highlighting the importance of witness testimony and the verification of identities.

Though other responsibilities such as certifying documents may come into play, the core function remains that of an impartial witness. Legal advice, while valuable in many contexts, is outside the scope of what a Notary is authorized to provide. Similarly, while Notaries may authenticate signatures for some international documents, these aspects do not define their primary responsibility. This distinction solidifies the significance of impartial witnessing in the overall framework of notarization in Pennsylvania.