What must a notary do to ensure the legality of the signing process?

A notary's principal responsibility is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that they are willingly and knowingly entering into the agreement. This is essential for the legality of the signing process because it upholds the authenticity of the document and protects against fraud.

By confirming the identity of the signer, the notary ensures that the individual is who they claim to be, which is critical in validating the transaction. Additionally, confirming that the signer understands the nature of the document and is doing so voluntarily helps prevent coercion and ensures that the signer is making an informed decision. These steps collectively contribute to the integrity of the notarization process.

While the verification of the date, witnessing the signing process, and obtaining an official witness signature may have their own relevance, they do not encompass the core duties that directly safeguard the legality and legitimacy of the notarial act in the same way that verifying the identity and willingness of the signer does. Thus, the critical focus for a notary should always be on these primary aspects of the signing process to maintain its legality.