Many people believe a notarized statement or document is more likely to be true or accurate. Not necessarily.
Notarization simply means that a notary public (a state officer) witnessed the named person sign the document or statement. Notarization does not mean that the contents of the statement or document are necessarily true or accurate.
An affidavit is a sworn statement by the signatory that the contents of a document are true and accurate. Affidavits are given under penalty of perjury – a false statement in an affidavit is a crime.
Remember: Just because a document is notarized does not mean it is true or accurate. It just means that the notary public witnessed the signature. Typically, a notary will require a stranger to produce identification, such as a driver’s license, as proof of identity. This procedure has a value – it avoids forgeries and insures people are who they say they are. It also adds a degree of formality to the signing which might make the signer think twice before signing an inaccurate document.
Notarization simply means that a notary public (a state officer) witnessed the named person sign the document or statement. Notarization does not mean that the contents of the statement or document are necessarily true or accurate.
An affidavit is a sworn statement by the signatory that the contents of a document are true and accurate. Affidavits are given under penalty of perjury – a false statement in an affidavit is a crime.
Remember: Just because a document is notarized does not mean it is true or accurate. It just means that the notary public witnessed the signature. Typically, a notary will require a stranger to produce identification, such as a driver’s license, as proof of identity. This procedure has a value – it avoids forgeries and insures people are who they say they are. It also adds a degree of formality to the signing which might make the signer think twice before signing an inaccurate document.
– John Butera