What Are The Requirements To Become A Notary Public?

A Notary Public is considered a public official.The first step toward becoming a Notary Public
Their powers and duties are defined by Stateis for you to go to your local county clerks office
statute. A Notary Public, aka "Notary", has thein the county where you legally reside and pick up
power, according to the State of Tennessee, toan application form. In most counties, you have
"administer oaths, take depositions, qualify partiesthe option to go online to obtain an application. 
to bills in chancery, and take affidavits".You can search online for a term such as 'your
A Notary can take acknowledgments and certifycounty' and the term 'notary public' to find more
the probate or acknowledgment of instrumentsdetails.
but a Notary Public is NOT allowed to createThe cost is $19 and the period of your
documents.  It's my understanding that thiscommission is four years.  You must be at least
would be practicing law without a license.18 years old and be a legal US citizen. You must
When you see statements like "A Notaryalso reside in the county where you are
is authorized to do formal protests of negotiablecommissioned, have no criminal record, not be a
instruments", you need to read that like this -member of the Armed Forces or a legislator of
Notarys cannot create documents or add wordsthe State or Nation and you cannot owe any
to them.  That's the job of an attorney.government agency any money.
Having been a Notary Public and Certified MobileThat may sound like a lot, but it's basic stuff for
Signing Agent for over 7 years, I feel the bestthe average, lawabiding U.S. Citizen.  Contact your
layman's definition of a "Notary" is someone wholocal county clerk for more specific details.
verifies a person(s) identity and witnesses (orI hope this helps.
acknowledges) the signature of a document.