North Carolina Notary Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The correct answer is that a signing party's verbal confirmation is typically not required for a notary to perform their acts. In most instances, notaries must verify the identity of the individuals involved in the notarization process through an acceptable form of identification, such as a government-issued photo ID. This verification helps ensure that the notary is performing their duties legally and ethically.

While a notarial journal is often recommended or required in certain jurisdictions to document the details of the notarial act for record-keeping purposes and for accountability, it is not an absolute prerequisite for the act itself. A valid notary commission is also essential, as it demonstrates that the notary is authorized to perform notarial acts within a specified jurisdiction.

On the other hand, a verbal confirmation does not provide the same level of verification as a formal identification would. Notaries are encouraged to obtain clear and unequivocal identification to confirm a signer's identity rather than relying solely on verbal assurances, as this can introduce uncertainty and potentially compromise the integrity of the notarization.