How Long Does it Take to Become a Notary Public?

Do you want to become a notary public agent? Then this article is for you. In this article, we’ll discuss how long it takes to become a notary public, their requirement, and the duties of notaries.

Requirements to become a notary public:

Becoming a notary public is the process of becoming an impartial witness to documents. The signature of a notary public on your document will certify that you were present. When you signed it and that the document was signed willingly and without duress.

Here are the criteria to become a notary public;

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Do not have any felony convictions in any state.
• Must be a legal resident or citizen of the United States.
• Must pass an approved course by the secretary of state.
• Not currently under investigation for fraud, perjury, bribery, theft, or other crimes involving moral turpitude.

In most states, the notary must have a good character reference from a reputable source that knows them personally. The commissioning process includes criminal background checks and fingerprinting that reveal any history of violations.

How long does it take to become a Notary?

There is no fixed duration as to how long it takes to become a notary. In most cases, the only thing that needs to be complete is passing an approved course. However, in some states, you also need to fulfil the background checks and other requirements.

The process varies by state so please check with your local government agency for further details on requirements specific to your location. Some states require applicants to go through a background check while others do not.

Generally speaking, in most States, it takes anywhere from seven weeks to 10 weeks to complete the process.

Becoming a Notary Public is relatively simple and straightforward, but the process varies depending on what state you live in.

What does a Notary Public do?

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government — typically by the secretary of state. Their job is to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.

These notarial acts are taken at a critical time subsequent to the document’s execution and prior to its legal effectiveness or practical use.

A notary must remain fair, honest, discreet, professional at all times even under pressure or when no one else is watching.

Their duties include;

• Taking affidavits and depositions.
• Administering oaths and affirmations.
• Witnessing signatures on important personal and financial documents.
• Making judgments about the genuineness of document authentication requests from law enforcement agencies.
• Certifying copies of documents that are vital to businesses across industries for things like contracts, deeds, etc.

Conclusion:

Above are the steps that you need to follow in order for you to become a notary public. You can also check your local government law (by visiting their website) before starting the process.

A Notary Public is an official by state government —typically by the secretary of state. Their job is to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.