Which statement about cross-state notarization is true?

• A. They can notarize in any state without recognizing authority
• B. They can notarize in bordering states as long as the state recognizes the notary's authority
• C. They can notarize only in Maryland
• D. They can notarize anywhere if the signer is a U.S. citizen

Answer: (B)

Notary authority is tied to the state that issues the commission, so a notary can only perform valid notarizations in the state where they are commissioned. When a cross-state notarization is attempted, the other state must recognize that notary’s authority for the act to be valid there. That’s why the statement about cross-state notarization being possible in bordering states only if the destination state recognizes the notary’s authority is the accurate one. Citizenship or the signer’s location doesn’t make a notary’s authority transferable, and a Maryland notary isn’t automatically authorized to notarize anywhere or in any state without that recognition.