Key Takeaways
- Utah notaries are commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor's Office
- The primary purpose is to serve as an impartial witness and prevent fraud
- Utah notaries have statewide jurisdiction within Utah
- Commission term is 4 years
- Notaries cannot give legal advice or prepare legal documents
Last updated: January 2026
Role of a Utah Notary Public
A Utah notary public is a state-commissioned officer appointed by the Lieutenant Governor's Office to serve as an impartial witness in document execution.
What Is a Utah Notary?
| What You Are | What You Are NOT |
|---|---|
| State-commissioned officer | Government employee |
| Impartial witness | Party to transactions |
| Identity verifier | Legal advisor |
| Fraud preventer | Document preparer |
| Statewide authority | Limited to one county |
Who Commissions Utah Notaries
| Authority | Role |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor's Office | Commissions notaries |
| Division of Corporations | Processes applications |
| State of Utah | Issues authority |
Authorized Notarial Acts
Utah notaries may perform:
| Notarial Act | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgments | Verify signer identity and willingness |
| Oaths and affirmations | Administer sworn statements |
| Jurats | Certify sworn written statements |
| Copy certifications | Certify copies (with restrictions) |
| Signature witnessing | Observe signing of documents |
What You CANNOT Do
| Prohibited Action | Reason |
|---|---|
| Give legal advice | Unauthorized practice of law |
| Prepare legal documents | Only attorneys may do this |
| Verify document truthfulness | Not your role |
| Notarize without personal appearance | Identity verification required |
| Notarize your own signature | Conflict of interest |
| Notarize if you have interest | Bias prohibited |
Utah Jurisdiction
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commissioned by | Lieutenant Governor's Office |
| Where you may notarize | Anywhere in Utah |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Testing fee | $95 |
| Bond required | $5,000 |
Impartiality Requirement
| Requirement | Why |
|---|---|
| No interest in transaction | Prevents bias |
| No family relationships | Avoids conflicts |
| No financial benefit | Maintains integrity |
| Equal treatment | All signers same service |
On the Exam
Focus on understanding:
- Primary purpose: Impartial witness, fraud prevention
- Commissioned by: Lieutenant Governor's Office
- Jurisdiction: Statewide within Utah
- Prohibited: Legal advice, self-notarization
- Commission term: 4 years
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Test Your Knowledge
Who commissions Utah notaries?
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Test Your Knowledge
What is the primary purpose of a Utah notary public?
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Test Your Knowledge
Can a Utah notary give legal advice about a document being notarized?
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