True or False: Integrity and skill are essential qualities for a Connecticut notary public.

• A. True
• B. Not important
• C. Somewhat true
• D. False

Answer: (A)

Notaries public must be trustworthy and competent because they serve as impartial witnesses to signatures and, in many cases, administer oaths. This role carries legal weight, so integrity and skill are essential. Integrity means acting honestly, avoiding conflicts of interest, refusing to notarize fraudulent documents or when the signer doesn’t understand the act, and keeping information confidential. It also means treating all signers fairly and not offering legal advice. Skill involves knowing how to correctly identify signers, verify eligibility, choose the proper notarial act (such as an acknowledgment or jurat), complete certificates accurately, apply the seal correctly, and keep required records like a notary journal. Connecticut law and 규ulations emphasize these duties, so a notary who lacks integrity or the necessary competence risks invalidating documents and facing penalties. Therefore, integrity and skill are essential qualities for a Connecticut notary public.