Commissioner of Oath and Notary Public are two different professionals, each with distinct functions and responsibilities. Understanding the distinctions between the roles of a commissioner of oath and a notary public is essential.
A commissioner of oath is an officer of the court who administers oaths to ensure individuals tell the truth during court proceedings. This person is appointed by the court and is essentially a solicitor authorized to administer an oath to someone making an affidavit. In contrast, a notary public is authorized to perform specific legal formalities, such as drawing up or certifying contracts, deeds, and similar documents. A notary public can also notarize signatures for documents.
Key Takeaways
- A commissioner of oath is appointed by the court to administer oaths and ensure truth-telling in court proceedings.
- A notary public is authorized to perform legal formalities such as certifying contracts and deeds and can notarize signatures for documents.
- While both roles are government-authorized, a commissioner of oath is responsible for administering oaths and verifying the truth of statements in affidavits, while a notary public is responsible for certifying documents.
