Which statement best reflects confidentiality obligations?

• A. Disclosing to relatives is always allowed.
• B. Confidential information may be disclosed to anyone who promises to keep it secret.
• C. Confidential information should be disclosed only as permitted by law or proper process.
• D. Confidential information should never be disclosed.

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality obligations mean you protect information learned in the course of notarial work and share it only when allowed by law or proper process. The statement that best reflects this is that confidential information should be disclosed only as permitted by law or proper process, because there are times when legal demands or official procedures authorize or require sharing. This keeps privacy intact while allowing necessary disclosures when there is a lawful duty or legitimate administrative need, such as a subpoena, court order, or other authorized demand. Disclosing to relatives is not automatically allowed, and promising to keep a secret does not by itself create permission to share. Likewise, there are situations where disclosure is strictly prohibited unless a specific legal basis exists.