What is the primary purpose of notarial acts?

The primary purpose of notarial acts is to verify identity and witness signatures. This function is essential in ensuring that the individuals involved in a transaction are who they claim to be, which helps to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of legal documents. When a notary public performs a notarial act, they confirm the identity of the signers through appropriate identification and ensure that the signatures are made willingly and without duress. This process adds a layer of authenticity and trust to the documents that are being signed, making it clear that the parties are legally bound to the contents of the document.

While the other options may involve aspects of legal processes, they do not capture the core function of notaries. For instance, providing a record of financial transactions is not a primary role of notaries; instead, they focus on witnessing signatures rather than tracking financial exchanges. Similarly, notaries do not directly formalize legal contracts, as the contracts themselves are created by the parties involved, and notaries merely affirm the signing of those contracts. Finally, confidentiality is important but not the main objective of notarial acts—while notaries must maintain confidentiality regarding the notarization process, their primary duty revolves around the validity of identities and the witnessing of signatures.