What is the primary role of a notary public in Nevada?

The primary role of a notary public in Nevada is to authenticate documents and prevent fraud. This function is crucial within the realm of legal and financial transactions, ensuring that the identities of the signers are verified, and that they are signing documents willingly and without coercion. The notary’s actions create a level of trust and integrity in business and legal documents, which is essential in preventing forgery and other fraudulent activities.

A notary public does not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents; these tasks are typically handled by licensed attorneys. While notarization can occur in contexts that may involve legal cases, such as in loan signings or other transactions, the notary's role is limited to witnessing signatures and verifying identities—not serving as a witness in court or providing opinions on legal matters. Thus, the focus remains on the authentication process, making it a vital safeguard in both personal and business dealings.