Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a duty of a notary public?

1. Administering oaths

2. Taking acknowledgments

3. Creating legal agreements

4. Certifying copies of documents

The correct answer is: Creating legal agreements

The correct choice is that creating legal agreements is not a duty of a notary public. A notary's primary functions revolve around verifying identities, witnessing signatures, and ensuring that documents are executed with the proper legal formalities. Administering oaths, for example, is a fundamental duty performed by notaries in which they swear in an individual to testify truthfully, helping to uphold the integrity of legal proceedings. Taking acknowledgments involves confirming that a signer understands the content of a document and has signed it willingly, which is crucial for preventing fraud. Certifying copies of documents allows notaries to provide an official copy of a document that is trusted by the public and other entities. Creating legal agreements, however, falls outside the scope of notarial duties. Notaries do not draft or create binding contracts; they only facilitate the signing process to ensure it meets legal requirements. Therefore, this choice is consistent with the defined role of a notary public.