A notary, in finances, refers to a licensed official authorized to witness and certify the signing of important legal documents, such as contracts, affidavits, and mortgage documents. Remember, notaries verify the identity of signers and make sure that they understand the document’s contents, and confirm they are signing with consent. The notary’s role is to prevent fraud by attesting that signatures are authentic, which adds legal weight to the documents. Notary services are often required for property transactions, loan agreements, and legal contracts.