Illinois Notary Online Course Practice Test

The correct response identifies that a notary public does not have the responsibility of judging the legality of documents. This is because the primary role of a notary is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, ensuring that the signers are who they claim to be and that they are entering into agreements willingly and without any coercion.

While notaries do witness signatures, certify copies of certain documents, and administer oaths, evaluating the legality of the content or terms of a document is beyond a notary's designated responsibilities. Notaries do not provide legal advice or interpret laws; they simply acknowledge that the signing process was completed in a proper manner. Thus, the responsibility of assessing whether a document is lawful or valid falls under the jurisdiction of legal professionals, not notaries. This distinction is crucial for understanding the limits of a notary's authority and ensuring that they operate within their legal boundaries.