Utah Notary Practice Test

Which of the following is true about notaries executing their own documents?

1. They can always execute them regardless of involvement

2. They cannot execute them if they are a signer on the documents

3. Only if they consult a legal advisor first

4. They may execute documents if another notary is present

The correct answer is: They cannot execute them if they are a signer on the documents

The correct choice highlights that a notary public cannot execute documents if they are a signer on those documents. This is an important principle of notary ethics and law. Notaries are tasked with serving as impartial witnesses to the signing of important documents, and their role requires them to maintain neutrality. If a notary is directly involved in the document as a signer, it compromises their impartiality and creates a conflict of interest. By not executing documents in which they have a vested interest, notaries uphold the integrity of the notarization process, ensuring that all parties involved can trust the validity and authenticity of the notarized document. This creates a clearer and more reliable record for legal purposes, as the notary's duty is to observe and verify signatures without personal involvement in the signed matter. In contrast, the other choices suggest scenarios that either conflict with this ethical standard or do not apply to the role of a notary. For example, notaries cannot simply execute documents whenever they want, nor is consultation with a legal advisor a requirement for this specific circumstance. The presence of another notary does not negate the conflict of interest created by personal involvement in the document being notarized.