Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

True or False: A notary is allowed to notarize their own signature.

1. True

2. False

3. Only in exceptional cases

4. Only if no one else is present

The correct answer is: False

A notary is not permitted to notarize their own signature due to the inherent conflict of interest this presents. The role of a notary is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to verify the identity of the signer. Notarizing one's own signature would defeat the purpose of impartiality and could undermine the integrity of the notarization process. By requiring an impartial third party, the system ensures that the notarial act is conducted fairly and without bias. Furthermore, allowing a notary to notarize their own signature could lead to issues of fraud or coercion, where the notary could potentially take advantage of the situation. This principle is widely recognized in notary laws across various states, including Illinois, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust in the notarial system.