What must any notary's name on their application match?

The correct answer is that a notary's name on their application must match their legal name. This requirement ensures that the official documentation accurately reflects the individual’s identity as it is recognized under the law. The legal name is the name that appears on legal documents, which is crucial for validation and authentication purposes within notarial acts.

While a state-issued ID typically displays the legal name as well, the notary application specifically emphasizes matching the legal name rather than the ID name itself. The name on the notary seal must also reflect the notary's legal name, but it is not a separate entity that must be matched in the application context. The focus on the legal name ensures consistency and reduces the risk of misunderstandings or disputes regarding the identity of the notary public.