Depositions

A deposition involves taking sworn, out-of-court oral testimony from a witness (the deponent) to be used as evidence during the legal discovery process. What the Notary Does: Administering Oaths: The primary role of the notary is to formally swear in the witness, ensuring they are legally bound to tell the truth. Certifying the Transcript: Most often, the notary swears in the deponent and executes a jurat on the final transcript prepared by a non-notary court reporter. In some states, notaries with specialized training (like court reporters or paralegals) may directly transcribe the testimony themselves. Impartial Oversight: The notary acts as a neutral third-party official to verify the witness's identity and ensure the procedural validity of the testimony.