Notary Publics in all states can administer and sign oaths, affirmations and acknowledgments, according to the American Society of Notaries. Some documents, including applications and affidavits, require the signer to swear an oath, affirm or acknowledge under penalty of perjury that the contents of the document she is about to sign are true. The signer must sign the document in the Notary Public’s presence, and the Notary Public must verbally ask the signer to acknowledge the oath or affirmation. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the Notary Public can notarize the document.

Some states allow Notaries Public to sign contracts. Contracts are agreements that can be enforced by law, with specific remedies if the agreements are not adhered to. Contracts must include a promise made in exchange for fair consideration, according to the Cornell University Law School. Contracts may be signed prior to being notarized, but the signer must appear in person before the Notary Public and affirm that the signature is genuine.

Notaries Public in some states can sign powers of attorney. A power of attorney grants authority to one individual to handle the affairs of another individual, and to enter into legal and financial agreements on that person’s behalf. Powers of attorney may be unlimited or limited in scope. The Notary Public must ensure that all required elements are present before signing a Power of Attorney.

A deed is the legal document used to transfer real estate ownership. A deed typically includes a description of the property, along with the names of the new owner and old owner. The individual who is transferring the property must sign the deed, according to Nolo.com. Some states allow Notaries Public to witness and sign deed transfers.