What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is an officer commissioned by the Michigan Secretary of State to serve as an unbiased and impartial witness. The most common function of the notary is to prevent fraud by attesting to the identity of a person signing a document. Notarization on a document certifies that the person whose signature is entered on the document appeared before the notary, established his or her identity, and personally signed the document.

Every citizen appointed as a notary has a duty to learn the notarial laws on their own initiative. For example: notaries are not allowed to perform marriage ceremonies in the State of Michigan.

Before a notary performs any notarial act, the notary is required to read the Notary Public Act, 2000 PA 238 (MCL 55.261 to 55.315) and the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act, 1969 PA 57 (MCL 565.261 to 565.270). 

Electronic copies of both acts are available at www.michiganlegislature.org

The underlying principles of notary law are truth and integrity. Ignorance of notary law is not an excuse, or a defense, for violation of notarial law and procedure.

What is a Notary Public? | Qualifications  | Application Process | Surety Bond Information | Oath of Office | Fees
Length of Appointment | Notarization of Document(s) | Foreign Language Documents | Restrictions | Notary Signing Agents
Jurat vs. Acknowledgements | Changes/Corrections/Duplicate Certificates | Department of Corrections Employees Only