What is the primary purpose of a notarial certificate?

The primary purpose of a notarial certificate is to authenticate a document and indicate that it has been properly notarized. This certificate serves as a formal declaration that the notary has witnessed the signing of the document, verified the identity of the signers, and ensured that the individuals signing the document did so voluntarily and without duress.

The notarial certificate typically includes specific details such as the date of the notarization, the name of the notary, and the signatures of the parties involved, which collectively provide assurance to third parties regarding the legitimacy of the document. This is crucial in legal and financial transactions where the validity of signatures may need to be established later on.

The other choices address aspects that are often associated with notarial functions but do not capture the essential purpose of the notarial certificate itself. For instance, while notaries keep records of their transactions, this is secondary to the primary role of authenticating the document. Providing legal advice is not within the notary's scope, as they are not authorized to practice law. Similarly, a notarial certificate does not serve as an official copy of the document; rather, it attests to the authenticity of the original document.