Can a notary public provide services outside of the United States?

A notary public's authority is generally limited to the jurisdiction in which they are commissioned. In California, for instance, notaries public are authorized to perform notarial acts only within the state's borders and cannot extend their authority to provide services in foreign countries unless they have a specific commission or authorization from that country. Thus, option B states that a notary public cannot perform notarial services abroad unless they are specifically commissioned for that country, which is accurate as it reflects the legal framework governing notarial acts.

The requirement for specific commission means that each country has its own laws and regulations regarding notarial services, and failing to obtain the proper credentials could result in the notarial acts being invalid or ineffective. For example, an international commission is necessary for a notary who wishes to perform duties in another country to ensure that they are recognized and meet the requirements set forth by that jurisdiction, which is not the case for all notaries. This underlines the importance of understanding international law and the specific conditions set forth by foreign governments regarding notarial acts.