Utah Notary Practice Test

What is involved in the process for a Signature Witness?

1. The signer must be familiar with the notary

2. The signer signs the document in the notary's presence

3. The notary must also sign the document

4. A witness is required to be present

The correct answer is: The signer signs the document in the notary's presence

The process for a Signature Witness hinges on the requirement that the signer signs the document in the presence of the notary. This ensures that the notary can verify the identity of the signer and confirm that the signing was done willingly and without coercion. The presence of the notary is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the notarial act, as it provides an official witness to the signing process. In this scenario, while familiarity between the signer and the notary can foster trust, it is not an essential requirement for the witnessing process. Similarly, the notary's signature is not mandated on the document being signed by the signer; their primary role is to witness and acknowledge the signature rather than to co-sign the document. Lastly, while a witness may enhance the validity of the procedures in certain cases, a signature witness does not strictly require the presence of an additional witness for the act to be valid. The core requirement is that the signer executes the signature while directly in the notary's presence.