Utah Notary Practice Test

If an employer asks a notary employee to notarize documents over the phone, the notary should:

1. Go to the office immediately to notarize the documents

2. Refuse service

3. Verify the documents before notarizing

4. Ask for the employer's signature to be sent by email

The correct answer is: Refuse service

The most appropriate action for a notary in this situation is to refuse service. Notarization involves a specific set of legal requirements that must be met to ensure the authenticity and legality of the documents being notarized. One critical requirement is the physical presence of the signer at the time of notarization. This means that the notary must personally witness the signing of documents to verify the identity of the signer, ensure they are signing voluntarily, and confirm their understanding of the document's contents. Notarizing documents over the phone does not meet these legal standards; therefore, proceeding with such a request would compromise the integrity of the notarization process and expose the notary to legal liability. In Utah, as in many jurisdictions, the rules governing notarization clearly state that the notary must be present with the signer. It is essential for notaries to uphold these ethical standards and regulations strictly to maintain trust in public notarial services.