Indiana Notary Public Practice Exam

Which of the following actions could indicate a notary is committing misconduct?

1. Notarizing a document without the signer being present

2. Following all legal requirements diligently

3. Using the notary seal correctly

4. Documenting every notarization in a journal

The correct answer is: Notarizing a document without the signer being present

Notarizing a document without the signer being present is indeed an action that could indicate misconduct by a notary public. A fundamental principle of notarization is that the notary must witness the signer personally. This ensures the authenticity of the signature and confirms that the signer is willingly and knowingly signing the document. If the notary fails to have the signer present, it undermines the integrity of the notarization process and violates legal standards, which require the physical presence of the individual whose signature is being notarized. In contrast, diligently following all legal requirements, using the notary seal correctly, and documenting every notarization in a journal are all practices that demonstrate compliance with notary laws and guidelines. These actions reflect a conscientious and proper approach to the duties of a notary public, reinforcing the validity of notarizations and protecting the interests of all parties involved.