North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

In notary practice, what is the implication of moral turpitude?

1. Validity of the notarized document

2. Trustworthiness of the witness

3. Standard of personal integrity

4. Obligation of confidentiality

The correct answer is: Standard of personal integrity

Moral turpitude refers to conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals. In the context of notary practice, it has significant implications for the standard of personal integrity that a notary must uphold. A notary public is expected to maintain a high level of ethical behavior, as their role involves acting as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and ensuring that transactions are conducted legitimately and ethically. When a notary is involved in acts of moral turpitude, it can question their integrity and ultimately affect their ability to perform their duties effectively. It underlines the necessity for notaries to exhibit honesty and integrity in their professional conduct, as moral failures can lead to a loss of public trust, legal repercussions, and potentially the revocation of notary commissions. The implications of moral turpitude do not directly relate to the validity of documents or the trustworthiness of witnesses, nor does it inherently involve obligations of confidentiality, although maintaining confidentiality is a separate essential duty. However, the core essence of moral turpitude is related to the expectation of personal integrity within the practice of a notary public.