North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

Can a notary take on the role of both the signer and the notary in the same document?

1. Yes

2. No

The correct answer is: No

In North Carolina, a notary is prohibited from serving as a signer and a notary on the same document. This is rooted in the principle of impartiality and the need for a notary to maintain an unbiased role in the notarization process. The notary's function is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, which means they cannot have a vested interest in the transaction or document at hand. When a notary is involved in a transaction, their responsibility is to verify the identity of the signers, ensure they are signing willingly and understanding what they are signing. If a notary were to act as both the signer and the notary, it would create a conflict of interest, undermining the integrity of the notarization process. This requirement is in place to protect the credibility of the notarial acts and to uphold the public's trust in the notarial system. Thus, a notary must remain separate from the signers in any document they notarize, reinforcing the essential role of impartiality in their duties.