What must a notary public include when filling out a notarial certificate?

When a notary public completes a notarial certificate, key elements must be included to ensure the document's validity. The correct answer highlights the necessity of including the date of the notarization, which establishes when the notarization occurred. This date is critical because it indicates the timing of when the notary witnessed the signing or the verification of the document.

Furthermore, identifying the type of act performed is essential as it clarifies the nature of the transaction being notarized—whether it be an acknowledgment, a jurat, a signature witnessing, or another type of notarial act. This specificity helps affirm the legal standing of the notarized document.

Lastly, the presence of the notary's signature and seal is required to provide authenticity and authority to the notarial act. The notary's signature indicates that the notary has performed their duties appropriately, while the seal serves as a mark of official status and helps prevent fraud.

In context, the other options lacking one or more of these components fail to meet the necessary requirements for a complete and legally recognized notarial certificate. This could cause issues regarding the document's enforceability or legitimacy.