What is the essential tool a notary uses to perform their duties?

The essential tool a notary uses to perform their duties is a notary seal or stamp. This tool serves as an official emblem of the notary's authority and is a crucial part of the notarization process. The seal or stamp is applied to documents to confirm that the notary has verified the identity of the signers and witnessed the signing of the document. It provides assurance to the public and other involved parties that the transaction was legitimately executed.

While a notary book can be helpful for record-keeping and documenting notarial acts, it does not serve as the primary tool of verification that the seal or stamp represents. Witness signatures can be necessary in certain situations but are not a universal requirement that defines the notary's role. Government IDs are important for confirming the identity of the signers but do not represent the notary's official capacity in the same way that the seal or stamp does.