Missouri Notary Handbook

We are pleased to provide you with this Missouri Notary Public Handbook. We appreciate the responsibility that comes with being a notary in the State of Missouri, and know the work you do as a notary instills additional confidence in the documents that are vital to our state and economy. This handbook is provided in print and online to more than 60,000 notaries across the state, each of whom takes acknowledgements, administers oaths and affirmations, and certifies that copies of documents are true copies. The powers and responsibilities of a notary are described in the Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 486. The provisions of this statute are included in this handbook for your convenience. In addition to the statutes, this resource provides general information related to your role as a notary, a glossary of important terms and copies of key application forms to assist you in the administration of your notary duties.

INTRODUCTION - This handbook is intended as a general guide and is designed to assist non-attorney notaries with the general requirements, duties, powers, limitations, liabilities, and legal significance of their actions as a notary public. Legal counsel should be consulted whenever specific problems or questions arise concerning any aspect of the office of notary public. THE NOTARY?S FUNCTION - A notary public is a public official whose powers and duties are defined by statute. A notary acts as an official, unbiased witness to the identity and signature of the person who comes before the notary for a specific purpose. The person may be taking an oath, giving oral or written testimony, or signing or acknowledging his or her signature on a legal document. In each case, the notary attests that certain formalities have been observed. The key function is to be certain that the person appearing before the notary is who that person claims to be.

This handbook has been prepared by the office of the Secretary of State for current and prospective notaries public in the state of Colorado. As a notary public, you hold an important position; therefore, it is vital that you understand the notary duties and responsibilities with which you have been charged. The purpose of this handbook is to help familiarize you with Colorado Notary Law so that you can perform your duties correctly. The Handbook is updated to include changes in the law that will be made effective July 1, 2018, due to the adoption of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). Notaries public are authorized to perform certain official duties that are critical to those who need them. By acting as an agent of the state by notarizing documents, you help to prevent fraud and forgery. Because the work of notaries public is so important, please make sure you take the time to review this guide carefully.