Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

True or False: A notary must witness the signature in real time.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the document is lengthy

4. Only if the signer requests it

The correct answer is: True

A notary is required to witness the signature in real time as part of their duty to ensure the authenticity of the signing process and the identity of the signer. This requirement is fundamental to the role of a notary, as their primary responsibility is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to deter fraud. When a notary observes the signing, it helps to confirm that the individual signing the document is doing so willingly and understands the implications. Witnessing the signature in real time allows the notary to verify the identity of the signer through proper identification and to ensure that the document is not being signed under duress or coercion. It establishes a trustworthy environment, which is crucial for the integrity of the notarization process. Without this real-time witnessing, the validity and reliability of the notarization could come into question, potentially leading to legal challenges or issues regarding the enforcement of the document.