The core job of a notary is deceptively narrow: verify the identity of the person signing, confirm they’re signing willingly and are of sound mind, and witness the act of signing. That’s it. It sounds simple, but it closes off some of the most common paths for document fraud: forged signatures, coerced signings, and impersonation.

What notarization doesn’t cover

A notary seal is not a stamp of approval on the content of a document. We don’t verify that the facts stated are true, that the document is legally sound, or that it will accomplish what you intend. If you need that kind of review, that’s a conversation for an attorney, not a notary.

Licensing and background checks matter here too. Every notary at Attestly is licensed in the state they work in and has passed a background check. That accountability is part of what makes the seal meaningful in the first place.

Understanding these boundaries actually makes the notarization process faster: you’re not waiting on us to review your document’s content, just to confirm you are who you say you are, in front of us, of your own free will.