What does a notarial certificate serve as?

• A. A proof of the document content
• B. Evidence the notarial act was performed, containing important facts about the notarization
• C. A record of the notary’s credentials
• D. An endorsement of the signature authenticity only

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a notarial certificate is evidence of the notarization itself. It is the formal statement attached to a document that the notary performed the act and records the key facts about that act—who appeared, that the signer’s identity was checked (if required), the type of notarization (such as an acknowledgment or jurat), the date and place, and the notary’s name, commission, and seal. This makes the notarization verifiable to anyone who later relies on the document, even if they did not witness the signing. It’s not simply a note about the document’s content or a blanket endorsement of the signature’s authenticity; it specifically documents that the act occurred and the circumstances surrounding it.