Nevada Notary Practice Exam

Which of the following actions can a Nevada Notary NOT perform?

1. Notarize a personal statement

2. Take acknowledgments

3. Certify copies of some documents

4. Perform jurats

The correct answer is: Notarize a personal statement

In Nevada, a notary public is authorized to perform a range of functions that include taking acknowledgments, certifying copies of certain documents, and performing jurats. However, notarizing a personal statement falls outside the scope of what a notary can legally do within the state. Notarizing typically involves witnessing a signature on a document or verifying the identity of the signer during a transaction where an acknowledgment or jurat is required. A personal statement, being a subjective testimony or declaration made without a specific document or legal requirement backing it up, does not fit into the categories where notarization is applicable. This means that a notary cannot simply validate or notarize a personal statement as it lacks the official formality and documentation necessary for traditional notarization. In contrast, taking acknowledgments involves confirming that the signer is who they claim to be and is signing the document willingly. Certifying copies pertains to authenticating the legitimacy of copies against original documents that a notary can legally verify. Performing jurats entails administering oaths to individuals who are making statements or affidavits, which is well within a notary's services. Therefore, the action of notarizing a personal statement is specifically not permitted, making it the correct choice in this scenario.