Which item must be included in a properly executed notarial certificate?

• A. The notary's Social Security number
• B. The signer's address
• C. A witness signature
• D. The notary's commission expiration date

Answer: (D)

The key point is that the notary’s authority must be valid at the time of notarization. The certificate should include the notary’s commission expiration date to prove the notary was properly commissioned when the act was performed. This date links the notarization to an active credential and allows verification of the notary’s status, which helps ensure the act’s legality and reliability. The other items aren’t required in a standard certificate: a social security number isn’t appropriate or needed; the signer’s address isn’t typically part of the certificate; and a witness signature isn’t required for normal notarial acts unless a specific act calls for it.