New York State Notary Practice Exam

What is the required action for a notary public before opening a safe deposit box?

1. Notify the lessee

2. Have a witness present

3. Obtain a signature from the lessee

4. Receive approval from the bank manager

The correct answer is: Notify the lessee

The correct action for a notary public before opening a safe deposit box is to notify the lessee. This requirement is in place to ensure that the lessee, who is the individual or entity that rented the safe deposit box, is aware that the box will be opened. The notification process respects the lessee's rights and property and ensures there is transparency in the opening of the box, which generally contains personal or sensitive information. Other options, such as having a witness present, obtaining a signature from the lessee, or receiving approval from the bank manager, might be involved in certain situations or with specific procedures, but they are not the primary requirement mandated for the notary public prior to the act of opening the safe deposit box. The key focus here is on the necessity of communication with the lessee to uphold their ownership and privacy rights.