Who can bring the document to the notary when a principal cannot appear?

Who can bring the document to the notary when a principal cannot appear?

• A. Any peace officer
• B. An agent for the principal
• C. A spouse
• D. One subscribing witness

Answer: (D)

When a principal cannot appear in person before a notary public, the only individual allowed to bring the document for notarization is a subscribing witness. A subscribing witness is a person who signs the document in the presence of the notary and can testify to the principal's identity and willingness to sign the document. This procedure ensures that the notarization maintains its integrity by having a credible witness who can affirm that the principal was indeed the one who intended to execute the document. The other options do not align with the established notary laws. For example, while peace officers, agents, and spouses might have relationships with the principal, they do not meet the specific legal requirements to act as representatives for the purpose of notarization without the principal's physical presence. Allowing only a subscribing witness helps maintain the legal standards of notarization, thereby upholding the authenticity and reliability of the notarized document.

When a principal cannot appear in person before a notary public, the only individual allowed to bring the document for notarization is a subscribing witness. A subscribing witness is a person who signs the document in the presence of the notary and can testify to the principal's identity and willingness to sign the document. This procedure ensures that the notarization maintains its integrity by having a credible witness who can affirm that the principal was indeed the one who intended to execute the document.

The other options do not align with the established notary laws. For example, while peace officers, agents, and spouses might have relationships with the principal, they do not meet the specific legal requirements to act as representatives for the purpose of notarization without the principal's physical presence. Allowing only a subscribing witness helps maintain the legal standards of notarization, thereby upholding the authenticity and reliability of the notarized document.