Indiana Notary Public Practice Exam

What is required for a document to be considered a true copy?

1. A notarized affidavit confirming its accuracy

2. A witness signature on the copy

3. The document must be in original condition

4. A personal guarantee from the notary

The correct answer is: A notarized affidavit confirming its accuracy

A notarized affidavit confirming its accuracy is essential for a document to be recognized as a true copy because it provides a formal attestation by the notary that the copy is a faithful reproduction of the original document. This affirmation by the notary obviates the need for the recipient of the copy to verify the original themselves and ensures that the copy carries legal weight by establishing that it has been witnessed and validated by an official capable of providing such confirmation. While other options may seem reasonable in certain contexts, they do not fulfill the legal requirement for establishing a true copy in the same manner. A witness signature does not carry the same authority as a notarized affidavit and may not guarantee the truthfulness of the copy. The condition of the document is also not a decisive factor; what matters is the accuracy in representation, not the physical appearance of the original. Lastly, a personal guarantee from the notary lacks the formal and legally recognized standing that a notarized affidavit provides, as it does not involve the same level of verification of authenticity.