What is the purpose of Authentication in the context of notarization?

The purpose of Authentication in the context of notarization is primarily to certify the status of a commissioned notary. This process involves verifying that a notary public is officially recognized and legally authorized to perform notarial acts. When a document is authenticated, it provides assurance that the notary's commission is valid and that they are acting within the scope of their authority. This is essential because it gives credibility to the notarization process and adds a layer of legal protection to the documents involved.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the specific purpose of authentication. For example, verifying the identity of the notary is a different aspect of the notarization process. It is part of the duties a notary performs during a signing, ensuring they know the signer’s identity, but it does not fall under the umbrella of authentication. Authenticating signatures of witnesses is also a separate function and relates to establishing the legitimacy of those individuals rather than the notary's status. Preparing documents for public filing does not pertain to the authentication process; rather, it is about the procedures for submitting documents to official offices and does not involve the certification of a notary’s status.