New York State Notary Practice Exam

A notary plays a crucial role in the execution of legal documents related to real estate transactions, particularly with deeds. When a deed is signed, the notary’s primary responsibility is to verify the identity of the signers and ensure that they are signing the document willingly and without duress. This process adds a layer of authenticity and legal effectiveness to the deed, which is essential for transferring property ownership legally.

Deeds must typically be notarized to be recording in public records, providing notice of the ownership change to third parties and ensuring that the transaction is enforceable. The notary's acknowledgment on the deed confirms that the signature is genuine and that the person signing the deed is indeed the rightful owner or authorized representative. This protection is paramount in real estate transactions, where large sums of money and significant legal rights are involved.

In contrast, while sales agreements, title insurance policies, and property appraisals are all important components of real estate transactions, they do not require notarization in the same way that deeds do. Notaries do not typically influence or validate the details of a sales agreement or a property appraisal, nor do they have any role in issuing title insurance. Hence, the deed is the document most commonly associated with notary services in real estate