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

A notary must ensure that the signer appears in person and provides proper identification before performing a notarization. This is a fundamental requirement of notarial practice, as it helps to establish the identity of the signer and confirm that they are signing the document willingly and knowingly. Personal appearance is critical because it allows the notary to assess the signer's competency and ensure they are not being coerced.

Proper identification typically involves documents that demonstrate the signer's identity, such as a government-issued ID. This step is essential not only for the integrity of the notarization process but also for protecting against fraud. Without verifying the signer's identity through proper identification, the notary cannot be certain that the person signing the document is who they claim to be.

The other choices involve conditions that are not standard practices in performing notarizations. For instance, getting permission from a court is not a typical requirement for most notarial acts. The presence of a witness can be necessary for certain types of documents but is not universally required. Completing a specific training course may be beneficial, but it is not a prerequisite for each notarization. Therefore, the focus on the signer's appearance and identification stands out as the primary prerequisite for notarization.