North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true regarding notarial acts?

1. They must always involve multiple witnesses

2. They can only be performed in government offices

3. They require the notary to verify the identity of individuals

4. They do not need to be recorded for validity

The correct answer is: They require the notary to verify the identity of individuals

Notarial acts are fundamentally designed to ensure the authenticity of signatures, the identity of the individuals involved, and the proper execution of documents. One of the primary responsibilities of a notary is to verify the identity of individuals before they sign documents. This is a crucial step because it prevents fraud and misuse of the notarial process. By confirming the identity through appropriate means, such as government-issued identification, the notary provides an additional layer of trust and legality to the document being notarized. In contrast, the other statements suggest misconceptions about the notarial process. Notarial acts do not require multiple witnesses; they can often be performed with just the notary and the signer present. Notarial acts can be conducted in various locations, not limited to government offices, allowing flexibility for individuals seeking notarization. Lastly, while it's often good practice to keep a record of notarial acts, for many notarial actions, the act itself does not require recording to be considered valid. Thus, the verification of identity by the notary stands as a cornerstone of notarial practice.