Utah Notary Practice Test

The primary function of a notary public in Utah is to validate the identity and signature of individuals on documents. This role is crucial because it helps ensure the authenticity of signatures, confirming that the individuals signing the documents are who they claim to be. By performing this verification, the notary helps prevent fraud and protects the integrity of the documents being signed.

Notaries are specifically trained to follow established procedures for identifying signers, often requiring identifiable documents and sometimes even the signer's personal knowledge. This function is fundamental to the notarial process, as it establishes the legal validity of the transaction at hand.

Other roles, such as offering legal advice, serving as a witness to all transactions, or preparing legal documents for clients, do not fall within the scope of a notary's responsibilities. Notaries must remain impartial and cannot provide legal guidance or take on roles that may conflict with their duty to serve as unbiased witnesses to the signing of documents.