New York State Notary Practice Exam

When a notary performs notarizations, it is essential to complete a notarial certificate. This document serves as formal evidence of the act of notarization and includes specific information such as the date of the notarization, identification of the parties involved, the type of document being notarized, and the notary's signature and seal. The notarial certificate is pivotal because it provides a clear and official record that the act was performed in accordance with legal requirements.

The other options are not suitable as they serve different purposes. A power of attorney is a legal document allowing one person to act on behalf of another, a contract is a legal agreement between parties, and an affidavit is a sworn statement made under oath. None of these documents is designed to fulfill the specific duties of a notary or provide the necessary formal acknowledgment of the notarization process.