What is essential for a notary to affirm about the signer in the notarial act?

For a notary to perform a notarial act, the most essential affirmation is that the signer is properly identified. This means that the notary must verify the identity of the individual who is signing the document to ensure that the person is who they claim to be. Proper identification can be achieved through various means, such as government-issued photo identification or other reliable proofs of identity that the notary finds acceptable.

Assessing the identity of the signer is crucial because it safeguards the integrity of the notarization process and prevents fraud. If a notary does not confirm the signer's identity, they cannot legitimately attest to the signing, which undermines the trustworthiness of the document and the notary's role within the legal system.

While the other options may pertain to the overall conduct of a signing or the circumstances surrounding it, they are not essential requirements for the act of notarization itself under Illinois law. A notary’s primary responsibility centers around verifying the identity of the signer, making it the cornerstone of their duties in performing a credible notarial act.