What is required when administering an oath or affirmation to an individual?

When administering an oath or affirmation, the notary must ensure that the individual sincerely declares their intention to be truthful in their statements. This involves guiding the person through the process of taking the oath or affirmation, where they commit to the truthfulness of their declarations, typically before signing a document. The integrity of the notarial act relies heavily on this moment, as the effectiveness of the entire process hinges on the accountability of the individual being sworn in.

While the act may involve other procedures or requirements, the core component is the administration of the oath or affirmation itself. It's essential that the notary is vigilant in assuring that this critical step is properly executed to uphold the legal and ethical standards of notarization.