Study for the Ohio Notary Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with explanations. Ensure your success today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Can a notary act as a witness and notarize the same instrument?

  1. Yes

  2. No

  3. Only if authorized by state law

  4. Only in financial transactions

The correct answer is: Yes

Some states prohibit notaries from acting as both a witness and a notary on the same instrument. However, in general, it is possible for a notary to serve as both the witness and the notary on a document. This is because the role of a notary is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that the document was signed voluntarily and with understanding of its contents. Being a witness to the document is not part of the notary's official duties. Therefore, in most cases, there is no conflict of interest in a notary serving as both a witness and a notary on the same instrument. The other options may be incorrect because they are overly specific and do not apply to all situations or states. It is important to check the laws and regulations in your specific state to ensure compliance with any restrictions on notary services.