Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What constitutes improper notarization?

1. Notarizing without a proper request

2. Not witnessing the signature as required

3. Charging a fee for the service

4. Using an old seal

The correct answer is: Not witnessing the signature as required

Not witnessing the signature as required is considered an act of improper notarization because it directly undermines the fundamental purpose of the notarization process. The primary role of a notary public is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, ensuring that the individual signing is doing so willingly and is aware of the contents of the document. If a notary fails to witness the signature, they cannot verify the identity of the signer or confirm that the signature was made without coercion. This invalidates the notarization, as it does not fulfill the legal requirements necessary to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the document being notarized. In contrast, notarizing without a proper request, charging a fee for the service, or using an old seal may raise ethical questions or procedural concerns but do not directly compromise the actual witnessing of the signature, which is the critical aspect of the notarization process.