Notary Publics verify signatures on documents. They are certified by the New York State Department of State and commissioned in the county where they reside. The public can verify that an individual is certified by the State of New York by contacting the appropriate Count Clerk's Office.
Notaries can often be found in banks, law offices, real estate agencies, accounting firms, business centers, stock brokerages, stationary stores, and sometimes in check cashing centers. The fee is set by law at $2.00, often if you are a customer of the bank or client of the lawyer or accountant, there is no fee.
The New York State Department of State lists the following as the functions of a Notary Public.
administer oaths and affirmations
take affidavits and depositions
receive and certify acknowledgments or proof of written documents such as deeds, mortgages and powers of attorney
demand acceptance or payment of foreign and inland bills of exchange, promissory notes and obligations in writing.
The most common use of notary publics is to certify signatures on documents. If you need to have this done, be sure to bring along some official form of photo identification.
