UT Notary key terms

A person commissioned by the State of Utah to serve the public as an impartial witness and to perform authorized notarial acts, such as acknowledgments, jurats, and oaths.

Any official act a commissioned notary is authorized by law to perform, including administering oaths, taking acknowledgments, witnessing signatures, and certifying copies.

A notarial act in which the signer personally appears, is identified by the notary, and states that the signature on the document is voluntary and the signer's own.

A notarial act in which the notary administers an oath or affirmation and certifies that the signer swore in the notary's presence that the contents of the document are true.

A spoken promise to tell the truth or to perform a duty, administered by the notary, with an affirmation used by someone who declines to swear for religious or personal reasons.

A copy of an original document that the notary has compared to the original and certified as a true and complete reproduction, where Utah law permits that act.

A notarial act in which the notary observes the signer sign the document and certifies that the signer appeared and signed in the notary's presence.

The person whose signature is notarized; this signer must appear before the notary, be identified using satisfactory evidence, and acknowledge or swear to the document voluntarily.

The requirement that the signer be physically in the notary's presence at the time of the act, unless the act is lawfully performed using approved communication technology.

The identification standard a notary must meet before acting, usually a current government-issued photo identification card or the notary's own personal knowledge of the signer.

The state and county where the notarial act is performed, shown at the top of the notarial certificate to establish the location of the act.

The official grant of authority from the Lt. Governor allowing a person to act as a notary public for a set term, typically four years in Utah.

The form and supporting materials a candidate submits to the Lt. Governor's office to be considered for a notary commission, including proof of qualifications and bond.

The statutory requirements a candidate must meet before being commissioned, including age, residency or employment status, and the absence of disqualifying criminal history.

A bond purchased by the applicant and filed with the state that protects the public by providing a source of payment if the notary causes a financial loss through misconduct.

The sworn promise a newly commissioned notary takes to support the law and faithfully perform notarial duties, required before the notary begins performing notarial acts.

The required stamp or seal impression containing the notary's name, commission number, expiration date, and the words Notary Public, State of Utah.

The unique identifier assigned by the state to a notary, which must appear on the official stamp and be recorded on notarial certificates.

The date the notary's authority ends, which must be printed on the official stamp, after which the person may no longer perform notarial acts.

The process of applying for a new notary commission when the current term ends, which may require a new application, bond, and oath.

The state officer whose office administers Utah's notary program, including reviewing applications, issuing commissions, keeping records, and handling discipline.

The written statement attached to or printed on a document that records what notarial act the notary performed, when, where, and for whom.

The prescribed language that must appear in a notarial certificate so that it correctly describes the act performed and satisfies statutory requirements.

Standard acknowledgment certificate language showing that the signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document voluntarily for its stated purpose.

Standard jurat language showing that the signer personally appeared, was placed under oath, and signed the document in the notary's presence.

The notary's handwritten or authorized electronic signature on the certificate, which must match the name on the commission and be applied at the time of the act.

The actual calendar date on which the notary performed the act; it must be accurate and may not be backdated or postdated.

A certificate missing required elements such as venue, date, signer name, or notary signature; the notary must complete or correct it rather than leave blanks.

A situation in which the notary is a party to the document or has a direct beneficial interest in the transaction, making impartial performance of the notarial act impossible.

Notarizing the notary's own signature or a document the notary signed, which is prohibited because a notary cannot be an impartial witness to his or her own act.

Giving legal advice, selecting documents, or drafting legal language for a customer, which a notary is not licensed to do and may not do while acting as a notary.

Performing an act without required personal appearance or identification, using false certificate wording, or acting after the commission has expired or been revoked.

A violation of notary law that may lead to suspension, revocation, or denial of a commission, and may also expose the notary to civil or criminal liability.

The notary's legal responsibility to pay for harm caused by a negligent or wrongful notarial act, which may also be pursued against the notary's surety bond.

The highest amount a notary may charge for a single notarial act, set by statute; a notary may not exceed it or disguise extra charges as other fees.