Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What should a notary do if the signer is unable to physically appear before them?

1. Approve the notarization without the signer present

2. Refuse to perform the notarization

3. Schedule a video call notarization

4. Document their absence in the journal

The correct answer is: Refuse to perform the notarization

In situations where a signer is unable to physically appear before the notary, the appropriate course of action is to refuse to perform the notarization. This is because the notarization process requires the notary to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that they are signing the document willingly and without any duress. The presence of the signer is essential for the notary to fulfill their duty of protecting against fraud and confirming that the signatory has the capacity to understand the transaction. If a signer cannot be present, the notary cannot complete the notarization as required by law. This ensures that the integrity of the notarization process is maintained. Other options, such as notarizing without the signer or attempting a video call, might compromise the legal standards of notarization in Illinois, where the physical presence of the signer is typically mandated. Documenting the absence in the journal could be a step in keeping records, but it does not fulfill the foundational requirement of notarization, which is the actual presence of the signer. Therefore, refusing to notarize under these circumstances is the correct and most responsible choice.