It is an official of integrity which the state government appoints (usually the secretary of state) to serve the jurisdiction in which he/she is appointed as a neutral and unbiased witness in carrying out a series of official fraud-deterrent acts that could be related to the signing of crucial documents. 

These activities of a notary are referred to as notarizations or notarial acts. Notaries are commissioned as “ministerial” officials by the public, which means they are expected to follow written rules with minimal personal discretion.