The Division of Legislation and Notaries of the Bureau of Commission, Elections and Legislation administers the duties imposed on the Secretary of the Commonwealth by Pennsylvania's Notary Public Law. The Division works on behalf of the Secretary to appoint, commission and regulate all notaries public in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For over 200 years, notaries public have been officially recognized by the Commonwealth for administering oaths and affirmations, certifying copies and taking depositions, affidavits, verifications and acknowledgements. Notaries public in Pennsylvania certify, verify and acknowledge hundreds of thousands of important documents each year. More than 80,000 men and women hold notary public commissions in Pennsylvania.