A Notary Public, also referred to as simply a Notary, or Public Notary, is responsible for authenticating legal documents in most common-law situations. Some legal circumstances require handling official documents with extra care, and this is where a Notary Public will come into play. Events requiring a Notary include establishing a power of attorney, closing a house sale, and even authenticating specific transactions.  Professionals in this career need a robust understanding of the contents of any document or procedure to ensure the signers understand the contents of the documents they are signing. 
 
This profession is necessary worldwide since there are varying levels of authentication procedures to consider, including notarizing business documents such as contracts and agreements or legal documents such as trusts, executorships, and custody arrangements. Suppose you need to verify the authenticity of a document or claim. Your neighbor won't be able to help you out unless, of course, he or she is a Notary!  
  
A big separation within this field is the distinction between civil-law and common-law Notary Publics. Notary Public professionals will only have jurisdiction in most common-law spheres, not in civil-law situations. The reason for this is because civil-law notaries are bar-holding lawyers. As a result, a practicing Notary Public is prohibited from offering legal advice. 

Personality of a Notary Public
Notary Publics as legal officials must be professional and have good people skills to be successful.  
 

• They are professional

In a world where first impressions can make or break a business relationship, those aspiring to become a Notary Public should take the time to build and refine their professional image. If you pay significant attention to the details, from your attire, to how you conduct meetings with your clients and keeping scheduled appointments, you will successfully communicate to prospective clients that you are serious about your craft and that they should feel confident working with you.  
  

• They are organized

Any Notary Public will benefit from key organizational skills to boost their business acumen. Organization as a skill goes together with attention to detail. Notary Public professionals must keep a meticulous eye on the facts presented to them by their clientele to avoid missing any crucial information.  
  

• They are expert communicators

Successful Notaries are more active than not, meeting with several clients in a week or monthly period. Staying prepared and on top of the rush requires excellent communication skills to satisfy your clients as it makes the time between appointments flow more efficiently.