Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Australia provide services similar to American notaries, but are not permitted to witness documents for use in foreign countries. Notaries have this exclusive right and are the only true international JP's in Australia.
http://notarylocator.com.au/notaries-explained.php
As of the early 2000s, most states use this model law as a basis for their own notary public statutes. These laws vary from state to state, and the amount of power that a state gives to notaries can depend on its history.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Notary+Public
The Secretary of State of each state appoints notaries public for a specified term of years. A notary public must see proof of identity (e.g. driver's license) of those swearing and keep an official journal of documents notarized. The authority is good only in the state which appoints the notary.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Notary+Public
A Notary Public, Public Notary, and Notary are various descriptions of the same person.
http://notarylocator.com.au/notaries-explained.php
Acknowledgments. A notary public can attest to a signature made in a document in the form of an acknowledged signature. An acknowledgment is the most common notary act in the United States. Oaths. A notary public may administer oaths as an independent notary act, or, in conjunction with other notary acts. Other notary acts requiring Oaths include: Jurats, Proof of Execution, and the swearing in of credible witnesses used for identifying a document signer.
http://www.123notary.com/notary-public-information.htm
notary public. n. a person authorized by the state (in which the person resides) to administer oaths (swearings to truth of a statement), take acknowledgements, certify documents, and to take depositions if the notary is also a court reporter.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Notary+Public
Mobile Notary Information. Notary Public: General Definition. An official authorized by law to act as an impartial witness to signatures, administer oaths, authenticate copies of documents, attest to signatures made by individuals, and perform other notary acts permitted within his or her jurisdiction.
http://www.123notary.com/notary-public-information.htm
If you would like to have a document notarized, you should: a) Use this page to find a local notary public or signing agent in the area where you need them, b) Call the notary to confirm that they are able to perform your notarization and to agree on a fee, and c) Schedule the signing with them.
http://www.notaryrotary.com/agent/find_a_notary.asp
Important Notice Regarding our Find a Notary Service The notaries public in this nationwide notary directory have listed themselves for the purpose of providing professional notary services. They are considered mobile notaries and are able to travel to your home or office to notarize your document(s) for a fee, which may include a travel charge.
http://www.notaryrotary.com/agent/find_a_notary.asp
A Notary Public not only takes oaths, signs and witnesses documents for use within Australia, but also performs similar functions in respect of international documents for use outside Australia.
http://notarylocator.com.au/notaries-explained.php
who is considered notary public
A person who is authorized by the state in which the person resides to administer oaths, take acknowledgements, certify documents, and take depositions if the notary is also a court reporter is considered as a notary public.