Nail the Indiana Notary Public 2026 Exam – Make It Official!

A notary plays a crucial role in preventing fraud during notarial acts, primarily through the process of verifying the identity of the signer. This verification is essential to ensure that the person who is signing the document is indeed who they claim to be. It typically involves checking government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport, which helps confirm the signer's identity as well as their legal capacity to enter into the agreement or transaction.

By confirming the signer's identity, the notary helps provide a layer of protection against identity theft and other fraudulent activities. This practice not only instills trust in the notarial process but also upholds the integrity of the legal documents involved.

The other options highlight practices that would not only be inappropriate but also contrary to the notary's responsibilities and duties. For instance, altering documents, notarizing without seeing the signer, or allowing someone to sign on behalf of another without proper authorization undermines the credibility of the notarization process and opens the door to potential fraud. Therefore, verifying the identity of the signer is not just a best practice but a fundamental duty of a notary public in safeguarding both the parties involved and the integrity of the document itself.