Utah Notary Practice Test

Which of the following must occur for a document to be considered duly notarized?

1. The notary must know the signer personally

2. The signer must complete a notary application

3. The notary must record the transaction in a journal

4. The document must be filed with the Secretary of State

The correct answer is: The notary must record the transaction in a journal

For a document to be considered duly notarized, it is essential for the notary to maintain a detailed record of the transaction in a notary journal. This step is crucial for several reasons: it serves as a legal safeguard for both the notary and the signer, provides a transparent account of the notarial acts performed, and can serve as evidence in case the notarization is challenged. The journal should include specific information such as the date, type of document, names of the parties involved, and any identification presented. This systematic documentation helps ensure accountability, which is a fundamental aspect of the notary's responsibilities. Other options, while they may be associated with notarial practices, do not represent the necessary requirements for a document to be deemed duly notarized. For instance, knowing the signer personally is not a formal requirement; instead, the notary must verify their identity through acceptable forms of identification. Completing a notary application is not directly related to the notarization of a specific document, and filing the document with the Secretary of State is not a requirement for the notarization process itself, but rather a separate administrative step that may apply to certain legal documents after notarization.