Arkansas Notary Practice Test

A public notary is distinguished primarily by their affiliation with the government, which grants them the authority to perform notarial acts. This means a public notary can officially witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify documents for the public at large. Their role is to serve the community and ensure the legality of various documents and transactions. In contrast, a private notary may have a more restricted capacity, often serving particular individuals or organizations, and may not have the same public mandate as a public notary.

While other choices touch on related aspects — for example, some may suggest that both types of notaries serve equivalent functions or comment on the working hours of a public notary — they do not accurately capture the essential difference in the nature of their appointment and authority. The primary distinction lies in the public notary's governmental role, which is fundamental to their ability to function in a public capacity.