North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

Can a notary legally notarize their own signature?

1. Yes

2. No

The correct answer is: No

A notary is prohibited from notarizing their own signature to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the notarization process. The role of a notary public is to serve as an unbiased witness to the signing of documents, and this function is inherently compromised when the notary is involved as a signer. Notarizing one's own signature creates a conflict of interest and undermines the trustworthiness of the notarial act, as the notary cannot be impartial when it comes to their own transactions. This rule is in place to prevent any appearance of impropriety and to ensure that all notarizations are executed with the highest ethical standards. In essence, the legal framework surrounding notaries ensures that they remain neutral parties to uphold the reliability and authenticity of notarized documents.