Which statement best describes the Notary Public's status?

• A. A commissioned public officer to perform notarial acts.
• B. A private individual who can issue licenses.
• C. A police officer who enforces traffic laws.
• D. A clerk who issues birth certificates.

Answer: (A)

Notaries are commissioned public officers who are authorized by the state to perform notarial acts. This official status comes from a formal appointment, giving them the authority to witness signatures, administer oaths, take acknowledgments, and certify documents in accordance with state law. They are part of the public sector, not private individuals, so they don’t issue licenses or perform general policing duties. They also aren’t clerks who issue vital records like birth certificates. This combination of state-granted authority and function as an official witness to documents is what defines a Notary Public’s status.