Indiana Notary Public Practice Exam 2025 - Free Notary Public Practice Questions and Study Guide

For a notarial act to be valid, the signer must appear before the notary in person. This is a fundamental requirement in the notarial process as it ensures that the notary can verify the identity of the signer, confirm their willingness to sign the document, and assess their understanding of the contents of the document they are signing.

The necessity for the in-person appearance protects against fraudulent activities, ensures that the signer is acting voluntarily without coercion, and allows the notary to properly administer any required oath or affirmation. This physical presence is essential as it allows the notary to properly fulfill their role in witnessing the signing, thereby giving the notarial act its legal authority.

Other scenarios, such as sending documents via email or requiring witnesses for the signing, do not fulfill the need for in-person verification of the signer's identity and intentions. Additionally, reviewing the signer's financial history is not a requirement for most notarial acts; the focus is primarily on the signing and the identification of the signer at the time of the act.