Utah Notary Practice Test

Which statement is correct regarding the duties of a notary?

1. Notaries can draft legal documents

2. Notaries serve as impartial witnesses to signing

3. Notaries can provide legal advice

4. Notaries must charge the same fee for every notarization

The correct answer is: Notaries serve as impartial witnesses to signing

The statement that notaries serve as impartial witnesses to signing is correct because the primary responsibility of a notary public is to act as an unbiased third party during the signing of documents. This role is crucial to ensuring the authenticity of signatures and the integrity of the document being executed. By witnessing the signing, the notary confirms that the signer is who they claim to be and that they are signing voluntarily and without coercion. This impartiality helps to prevent fraud and ensures that the notarized documents can be trusted. In contrast, notaries are not authorized to draft legal documents, provide legal advice, or uniformly charge the same fees for every notarization. The duties of a notary are strictly defined to maintain objectivity and prevent conflicts of interest, which is why they cannot engage in activities that might compromise their impartiality. This separation of roles helps protect all parties involved in the notarization process, upholding the essential function of the notary public in the legal system.