A notary public is an official appointed by the State of Nevada to witness signatures, verify the identity of signers and administer oaths. Notarization helps prevent fraud; it does not make a document legal or true.
Documents that often need a notary
- Powers of attorney
- Deeds and some real estate documents
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Travel consent letters for minors
- Vehicle title and DMV forms
- Some bank, loan and business documents
The most common notarial acts
- Acknowledgment: you confirm that you signed the document willingly. Common for deeds and powers of attorney.
- Jurat: you swear or affirm that the content is true and sign in front of the notary.
- Oath or affirmation: a spoken promise that what you say is true.
What to bring
- A current government-issued photo ID (driver's license, ID card or passport)
- The complete document, unsigned if it needs to be signed in front of the notary
- Every person who must sign
What a notary cannot do
A notary who is not an attorney cannot give legal advice, explain the legal effect of a document or help you choose one. In Nevada, a non-attorney notary also cannot use the terms "notario" or "notario público" when advertising, because in many Latin American countries a notario is a lawyer. If you need legal advice, see a licensed attorney.
Fees
Nevada law sets the maximum fees a notary may charge for each act. Ask for the fee before the notarization.
TGT Consulting is not a law firm. We are not attorneys licensed in Nevada, we are not licensed to give legal advice and we may not accept fees for giving legal advice.
This article is general information, not individual tax or legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm current requirements with the official source or contact us about your situation.