Regarding a document with multiple signers who appear before the notary, what must be done with certificates?

• A. Use one certificate for all signers.
• B. Prepare a separate certificate for each signer who appears before the notary.
• C. Only notarize the first signer and ignore the rest.
• D. Do not notarize at all if multiple signers.

Answer: (B)

When multiple signers appear before a notary, each signer needs their own notarial certificate. The certificate is the formal record that attaches the notarial act to a specific person, so one certificate cannot validly cover several individuals. Prepare a separate certificate for every signer who appears, fill in the appropriate language (acknowledgment or jurat) for that signer, and affix the notary’s seal and signature to each certificate. This creates a clear, individual record of the notarization for every signer, which is required for proper Maryland notarial practice.