Which statement best describes a notarial certificate?

• A. It creates a new public record of the signer’s intent.
• B. It is optional and not tied to the document.
• C. It states the notary's act (acknowledgment or jurat) and identifies signer, date, location, and authority.
• D. It replaces the document with a notarial substitute.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that a notarial certificate records the notary’s act and ties it to the specific signer and event. It states what the notary did (an acknowledgment or a jurat) and identifies who appeared, the date, the place, and the notary’s authority to act. This certificate is attached to or accompanies the document to show that the notarization occurred, with the signer’s identity verified and the notary acting in their official capacity. It does not create a new public record by itself, nor is it optional or a replacement for the document.