New York State Notary Practice Exam

A primary duty of a notary public is to verify signatures and administer oaths. This responsibility encompasses ensuring the identity of the individuals signing documents, confirming that they are signing willingly and under their own free will. Notaries serve as impartial witnesses to these transactions, helping to prevent fraud and ensuring the integrity of the documents involved.

Administering oaths is another fundamental part of a notary's role, as they may be called upon to affirm the truthfulness of statements made in sworn affidavits or other legal documents. This function is essential in various legal processes where truthfulness is paramount.

The other options do not fully capture the broader responsibilities of a notary. Issuing marriage licenses is typically the domain of specific government offices, not the role of a notary public. Serving as a witness for legal proceedings is not a typical duty associated with notaries, even though they may witness the signing of documents related to such proceedings. Lastly, notarizing documents is not limited to those related to real estate; notaries can authenticate a wide range of legal documents including contracts, powers of attorney, and more.