What must a notary affix near their signature every time they notarize a document?

What must a notary affix near their signature every time they notarize a document?

• A. Notary official seal
• B. Personal signature
• C. Witness signature
• D. Approval stamp

Answer: (A)

A notary must affix their official seal near their signature every time they notarize a document to lend authenticity and credibility to the notarization. The notary's official seal serves as a vital tool that validates the notary's identity and their authority to perform the notarization. It typically includes key information such as the notary's name, the state in which they are commissioned, and often their commission number, ensuring that the notarization can be properly identified and verified. This requirement helps to discourage fraud and provides a legal assurance that the document has been properly notarized, thus protecting the interests of all parties involved. The other options, like a personal signature or witness signature, do not fulfill the specific legal obligations of a notary's duties as outlined in notary regulations. Additionally, an approval stamp is not a standard requirement in notary practice, making the official seal the essential component for any notarization process.

A notary must affix their official seal near their signature every time they notarize a document to lend authenticity and credibility to the notarization. The notary's official seal serves as a vital tool that validates the notary's identity and their authority to perform the notarization. It typically includes key information such as the notary's name, the state in which they are commissioned, and often their commission number, ensuring that the notarization can be properly identified and verified.

This requirement helps to discourage fraud and provides a legal assurance that the document has been properly notarized, thus protecting the interests of all parties involved. The other options, like a personal signature or witness signature, do not fulfill the specific legal obligations of a notary's duties as outlined in notary regulations. Additionally, an approval stamp is not a standard requirement in notary practice, making the official seal the essential component for any notarization process.