Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What must a notary include when completing a notarization?

1. The date and time of the notary’s commission expiration

2. A personal note about the signer

3. The notary's name and seal

4. A list of any witnesses present

The correct answer is: The notary's name and seal

When completing a notarization, it is essential for a notary to include their name and seal. This requirement serves to identify the notary public who performed the notarization and to validate the notarized document. The notary's seal acts as a form of endorsement, confirming that the notary has officially witnessed the signing of the document and that all necessary procedures have been followed. The information contained in the seal usually includes the notary's name, the words "Notary Public," and the jurisdiction in which the notary is commissioned, along with the notary's commission number and expiration date. This standardized procedure helps ensure that the notarization can be recognized and verified by other parties, lending credibility and authenticity to the document. Other options may involve useful information but do not meet the legal requirements for a notarization in Illinois. For example, while the date and time of the notary’s commission expiration is relevant to the notary's authority, it is not typically included in the notarization itself. A personal note about the signer or a list of witnesses is not necessary for the notarization process; these elements could compromise the objectivity required in notarizations. The primary focus for a notary is to properly affirm the identity of the signer