What should a notary never use in the body of a notarial certificate?

A notary should never use white-out in the body of a notarial certificate because it creates a significant issue regarding the integrity and authenticity of the document. White-out obscures the original text, which can lead to confusion or disputes about what was originally written. Notarial acts require a clear and visible record of what was certified, and the use of correction fluid compromises that clarity.

Maintaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of the notarial certificate is essential. If any errors occur, they should be corrected through proper methods, such as drawing a line through the mistake and including a clear annotation of the correction, rather than obscuring the original text. This ensures that anyone reviewing the certificate can see the legitimate attempts at correction and can trust the notary's integrity.

In contrast, correction tape, pencil, and markers also present issues for reasons such as the potential for further modification or alteration of the document, which is contrary to the standards of notarial practices that demand permanence and reliability in documentation. However, the use of white-out is particularly problematic due to its capacity to entirely conceal the original text, which can mislead or misrepresent the notarization process.