Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What action should a notary take if a document contains blank spaces?

1. Ignore the blank spaces

2. Instruct the signer to complete or mark the blank spaces as "N/A"

3. Complete the blank spaces themselves

4. Return the document for revision

The correct answer is: Instruct the signer to complete or mark the blank spaces as "N/A"

A notary's role includes ensuring the integrity of the documents they notarize, which involves addressing any blank spaces within those documents. If a document contains blank spaces, the appropriate action is to instruct the signer to either complete those spaces with the necessary information or mark them as "N/A" (not applicable). This helps prevent any potential fraud or misunderstandings that could arise from those blanks being later filled in by someone other than the signer. It is essential for the notary to ensure that the document is complete before proceeding with the notarization process. By guiding the signer to address those blanks, the notary upholds their duty to verify the document's authenticity and clarity. This not only protects the parties involved but also fortifies the validity of the notarization itself.