Who can perform notarial functions for members of the U.S. armed forces and their dependents?

• A. Commissioned officers in the U.S. armed forces.
• B. Warrant officers in the U.S. armed forces.
• C. Enlisted personnel in the U.S. armed forces.
• D. Civilian contractors.

Answer: (A)

The situation hinges on who has official authority to administer oaths and witness signatures in a military context. A commissioned officer in the U.S. armed forces holds the appropriate official status to perform notarial acts for service members and their dependents. This is because, in military settings, commissioned officers are recognized as having the authority to witness and certify documents related to military matters, ensuring the documents are valid for use in benefits, legal processes, or assignments—even when the signer is deployed or on base.

Warrant officers and enlisted personnel are part of the military but do not carry the general authority to act as notaries for service members’ documents. Civilian contractors are not military personnel and do not have the authority to perform notarial functions for armed forces members under this framework.

So, the reason the commissioned officer is the best answer is that their official capacity within the military provides the recognized authority to notarize for service members and their dependents, ensuring proper authentication of the documents in question.