We are pleased to provide you with this Missouri Notary Public Handbook. We appreciate the responsibility that comes with being a notary in the State of Missouri, and know the work you do as a notary instills additional confidence in the documents that are vital to our state and economy. This handbook is provided in print and online to more than 60,000 notaries across the state, each of whom takes acknowledgements, administers oaths and affirmations, and certifies that copies of documents are true copies. The powers and responsibilities of a notary are described in the Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 486. The provisions of this statute are included in this handbook for your convenience. In addition to the statutes, this resource provides general information related to your role as a notary, a glossary of important terms and copies of key application forms to assist you in the administration of your notary duties.

The office of notary public has a long and proud history in our society. Their work is rarely glamorous, but it is so important that the highest courts in the nation routinely accept properly notarized documents as evidence in legal matters. In fact, the law governing notaries gives them the same mission as sworn law enforcement officers, "to serve and protect."

As a notary public, you hold an important position in the state of Kansas. It is essential that you understand the notarial duties and responsibilities given in Kansas law. The purpose of this handbook is to help you understand notary laws so that you can perform your duties correctly. The purpose of a notary public is to prevent fraud and forgery. The notary acts as an official, unbiased witness to the identity of the person who signs the document. A Kansas notary public has six major duties: 1. Take acknowledgments, 2. Administer oaths and affirmations, 3. Take a verification upon oath or affirmation, 4. Witness or attest a signature, 5. Certify or attest a copy, and 6. Note a protest of a negotiable instrument. (K.S.A. 53-107)