A notary should never notarize a document unless the notary is absolutely _________ after reading through the notarial certificate that whatever the notary is certifying to is true and correct.

• A. Satisfied
• B. Confident
• C. Certain
• D. Convinced

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a notary must have solid, provable assurance before certifying anything. Before notarizing, the notary serves as an impartial witness to the facts of the document, so they must thoroughly check the certificate and be sure the statements are true and correct. The word that fits this formal standard is “satisfied.” It captures a complete, professional level of assurance that the information is accurate and the act of notarization is appropriate.

Other options describe attitudes, but they aren’t the formal term used in notarial practice. “Confident,” “certain,” or “convinced” suggest general belief or subjective certainty, not the precise, legally recognized threshold of verification required in notarizing documents. In notary contexts, being “satisfied” communicates the necessary level of verification and readiness to perform the notarization.