Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

What should a notary do if they discover a mistake on a notarized document after completing the notarization?

1. Ignore the mistake, it's the signer's responsibility

2. Void the notarization and inform the signer

3. Correct the mistake immediately

4. Notify the authorities immediately

The correct answer is: Void the notarization and inform the signer

When a notary discovers a mistake on a notarized document after completing the notarization, the appropriate course of action is to void the notarization and inform the signer. This approach is essential because notarization serves to verify the authenticity of the signature and the identity of the signer, while also confirming that they are signing willingly and without coercion. If a mistake is present in the document, it compromises the integrity of the notarization. Voiding the notarization ensures that the notary is not misleading future parties who may rely on the document. By informing the signer, the notary allows the signer to take action to rectify the error, such as creating a new document or amending the current one properly. This process promotes transparency and maintains the notary's ethical standards, as the notary's primary role is to uphold the integrity of the notarization process. Ignoring the mistake disregards the notary's responsibility, while correcting it immediately could lead to further complications and misrepresentation of the original document. Notifying the authorities is unnecessary unless the situation warrants legal intervention. Hence, the course of action that upholds the notary's obligations and the validity of the document is to void the notarization and communicate with the signer.