Which statement about 18th-century laws is correct?

• A. They banned appointing notaries
• B. They only set notary education standards
• C. They designated the official responsible for appointing notaries, set fees, and defined jurisdiction
• D. They created the first notary public commission

Answer: (C)

In 18th‑century law, notary regulation centers on how the office is created and controlled: who may appoint a notary, what fees they may charge, and where their authority applies. Laws established a formal framework by designating the official responsible for issuing a notary’s commission, setting the costs for typical notarial acts, and defining the geographic or subject matter jurisdiction in which the notary operates. This creates publicly backed authority for notarial acts and clear limits on power and compensation, which is why this statement is the most accurate. It isn’t about banning notaries, nor is it correct to say the only focus was education standards. While commissions did exist, the broader point is the regulatory structure tying appointment, fees, and jurisdiction together.