North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

What is the standard for a notary's personal knowledge according to best practices?

1. Knowledge based on public images of the individual

2. Knowledge gained from brief encounters

3. Knowledge obtained through repeated personal interactions

4. Knowledge accumulated through third-party confirmations

The correct answer is: Knowledge obtained through repeated personal interactions

The standard for a notary's personal knowledge, according to best practices, involves knowledge obtained through repeated personal interactions. This standard emphasizes the importance of familiarity and trustworthiness, as a notary needs to have a reasonable degree of certainty about a signer's identity before notarizing a document. This is achieved through consistent and ongoing interactions that allow the notary to establish a relationship with the individual, ensuring that they understand the person’s identity and circumstances. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the notarization process, as it minimizes the risk of fraud and ensures that the notary is acting responsibly. In contrast, knowledge based on public images, brief encounters, or third-party confirmations does not provide the same level of assurance regarding an individual's identity and can lead to potential issues in the notarization process. These alternate methods lack the depth of understanding required to fulfill a notary's duties effectively.