What does a notary public need to ensure before performing the act?

A notary public plays a crucial role in verifying important elements before performing notarial acts, ensuring the integrity of the process. The correct focus is on confirming the signer’s identity and willingness to sign the document. This involves checking that the person appearing before the notary is who they claim to be, typically through valid identification, and ensuring that they are signing the document of their own free will, without any coercion or undue influence.

This step is vital because the notary's primary duty is to prevent fraud and protect the public interest. If the signer’s identity isn't verified or if they are not willingly entering into the agreement, it could lead to legal issues or challenges regarding the validity of the document later on.

While understanding the legal implications of a contract and ensuring accuracy in documentation are important, these responsibilities fall more under the purview of legal professionals and the parties involved rather than the notary's role, which is specifically to witness and verify signatures and identities.