What is a Notary Public?
Notary Public is an ancient office dating back before the Roman Empire. The office of Notary Public was formally established in Maine in 1821. The Notary Public of today acts as a liaison between the government and its citizens; facilitating the authorization of numerous important transactions. Some of the commonly exercised powers of a Notary Public include the administration of oaths or affirmations; certification of an affidavit or an acknowledgment of instruments related to real estate transfers; certification of copies of private documents; and solemnization of marriages. The Informed Notaries of Maine was formed in 1993 in response to the growing need for informed and educated notaries. Today, there are approximately 30,500 notaries in the state of Maine.