How does a U.S. Notary Public differ from officials in foreign countries?

A U.S. Notary Public indeed differs from officials in foreign countries primarily in that they are not judges or high-ranking officials. The role of a U.S. Notary is fundamentally different from that of notaries in many other countries, where notaries often hold significant legal authority and have responsibilities that can include drafting legal documents and providing legal advice. In contrast, a U.S. Notary serves mainly to witness signatures, administer oaths, and verify the identity of individuals signing documents, without the authority to practice law or provide legal counsel.

This distinction highlights the limited scope of a U.S. Notary's role compared to the more comprehensive powers held by notaries in various other jurisdictions, where they may act in a quasi-judicial capacity. Understanding this difference is crucial for recognizing the involved responsibilities and limitations of a Notary Public in the U.S., as well as the broader implications of notarial functions globally.