Why should a notary keep a copy of the Secretary of State-approved manual?

• A. To reference duties, authority, and ethical responsibilities.
• B. For personal reference only
• C. To sell to clients
• D. To file with the county clerk

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the official manual is your authoritative guide for how a notary must operate. It spells out what you are allowed to do, the scope of your authority, and the ethical standards you must uphold when performing notarial acts. Keeping a copy handy means you can quickly check procedures and requirements during a signing—everything from proper identification and the steps for different notarial acts to record-keeping and behavior with clients. Relying on this manual helps ensure every notarization is compliant with the law and with your ethical duties, not just based on memory or word-of-mouth.

This isn’t meant for personal notes or for sale, and it isn’t something you file with the county clerk. The manual is the official reference you should consult and stay current with, especially since updates can change procedures or rules.