North Carolina Notary Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The primary purpose of a notary is to administer oaths and perform notarial acts. This role is fundamental to the integrity and authenticity of various legal and official documents. By administering oaths, notaries ensure that individuals affirm the truthfulness of their statements before signing documents, promoting honesty and accountability in the process.

Notarial acts include a range of responsibilities such as witnessing signatures on documents, certifying copies of documents, and taking verifications upon oath or affirmation. These functions help prevent fraud and maintain the reliability of documents that may be used in legal situations or other important transactions.

While certification of documents is an aspect of notarial work, it is only one part of a broader scope of duties. Legal advice and collecting fees are not roles performed by notaries; notaries are specifically prohibited from giving legal advice unless they also possess a law license. Therefore, focusing on the administration of oaths and notarial acts emphasizes the essential duties and responsibilities of a notary in their official capacity.