Notary Public Day Honors

November 7 Annually

Please give a hearty "thank you" to the notary public in your life every November 7, Notary Public Day!

Transactions that are essential to the normal function of our everyday lives would not be possible without the skill and attention of a notary public. There are approximately 4.5 million notaries public in the United States, all of whom serve the common good as trusted public officials.
 
The first Notary Public Day was celebrated on November 7, 1975, and created to “recognize notaries for their public service and their contributions to national and international commerce.”

Since ancient Roman times, notaries have officiated on matters of judicial and commercial importance as well for private transactions when professional skill and integrity were needed.
 
Today’s notaries are indispensable to the free flow of commerce and to the many highly sensitive personal transactions occuring in daily life. By properly executing their duties as impartial witnesses, notaries help deter fraud and promote the integrity and validity of document transactions. They do this by positively identifying the present document signer, and carefully assessing the person’s comprehension, competence and willingness to sign.
 
The date of November 7 was chosen as Notary Public Day in recognition of the appointment of  America's first notary, Thomas Fugill. Fugill's appointment by the Colony of New Haven occurred on October 25, 1639 (Julian calendar), which is November 7 on the Gregorian calendar now in use.