New Jersey Notary Practice Exam

What should an individual do if they are physically unable to sign a record?

1. Sign the record in absentia

2. Notify the notary public to sign on their behalf

3. Direct another individual to sign the record

4. Leave the record unsigned

The correct answer is: Direct another individual to sign the record

If an individual is physically unable to sign a record, properly directing another individual to sign on their behalf is the appropriate course of action. This approach recognizes the individual's limitations while still ensuring that the record can be executed validly. The person signing on behalf of the individual must do so in a manner that clearly indicates they are signing for someone else, thus maintaining clarity and transparency in the transaction. When this directive is followed, it's crucial that the signing individual acknowledges the capacity in which they are signing, which helps to avoid confusion and supports the legal integrity of the document being executed. The process often involves the notary public acknowledging the signature of the individual signing for the physically unable signer, provided that this is done in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing notarial acts. Choosing options such as leaving the record unsigned or attempting to sign in absentia doesn't adequately address the need for the document's validity, while notifying a notary public to sign on behalf of someone else could lead to misunderstandings of the notary's role and responsibilities.