If a notary is unsure about the legality of a document, they should refuse to notarize it and advise the signer to seek legal counsel. It is not the notary’s role to provide legal advice or make judgments about the legality of documents.
Notaries should avoid notarizing documents for family members or individuals with whom they have a close personal relationship to prevent any potential conflicts of interest and ensure impartiality.
A notary can refuse to perform a notarial act if the document is incomplete or if the notary is unable to verify the identity of the signer. It is important for the notary to ensure that all required information is present and that proper identification is provided.
Failure to follow state laws and regulations can lead to serious consequences for a notary, including civil and/or criminal penalties and the possible revocation of their notary commission. Notaries must adhere strictly to legal and ethical standards to avoid these repercussions.
The primary ethical responsibility of a notary public is to act impartially and avoid any conflicts of interest. The notary must ensure that their actions are unbiased and that they do not benefit personally from the notarization.
