Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

TRUE OR FALSE: A notary can notarize their own signature.

1. True

2. False

3. Only in certain circumstances

4. Only if a witness is present

The correct answer is: False

A notary is prohibited from notarizing their own signature to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the notarization process. When a notary public performs a notarization, they must serve as an unbiased witness to the signing of the document by another individual. Notarizing one’s own signature creates a conflict of interest, as the notary cannot be an impartial witness to their own act of signing. This principle is grounded in the belief that notaries must ensure trust and legality in their duties, and thus, self-notarization undermines that trust. The option indicating that notarizing one’s own signature is permissible under certain circumstances or with the presence of a witness does not align with the fundamental rules governing notarial acts. Therefore, the correct assertion is that a notary cannot notarize their own signature, making the answer false.