Book excerpt: Everybody knows what a notary public does, right? Actually, there is much misunderstanding and confusion about what the proper role and duty of a notary is. A notary public does not "legalize" documents, or verify the accuracy or truthfulness of the content or statements made in a document, and yet the role that a notary plays in ascertaining the identity of the person who signs a document, placing that person under oath, if required, and determining the signer's intent and willingness to consent to the transaction is vital in modern society. A notary public is a public official commissioned by the Secretary of State to administer oaths and affirmations, take acknowledgments, witness signatures, and perform other duties as permitted by state law. A notary should be familiar with the Idaho notary laws and to follow the standards of reasonable care for performing a notarial act.