What is the primary responsibility of a California Notary Public?

The primary responsibility of a California Notary Public is to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents. This role is fundamental to the notary's duties, as it helps ensure the authenticity and credibility of the signatures on legal documents. By witnessing the signing of these documents, notaries help prevent fraud and ensure that all parties involved are acting willingly and knowingly.

While marriage licenses and keeping records of transactions are related functions, they are not the core duty of a notary public. Notaries do not issue marriage licenses; instead, that responsibility typically falls to government officials or offices. Furthermore, while notaries are required to keep records of their notarial acts in a journal, this is a procedural task that supports their primary function rather than being their main responsibility. Providing legal advice is outside the scope of a notary's role, as notaries must remain neutral and do not practice law.