The notary’s role is to ensure that the document is complete and accurate before notarization. If a document is incomplete, the notary should refuse to notarize it until all required sections are properly filled out. Notarizing incomplete documents can lead to issues of validity and legality.
If a signer does not have a government-issued ID, an Illinois notary may use personal knowledge to verify the signer’s identity. However, this knowledge must be reliable and based on personal acquaintance with the signer. The notary should document this method of identification in their journal.
If a signer is unable to sign the document themselves, the notary should ensure that a representative signs the document on behalf of the signer. The notary must witness the signing and the representative must sign in a manner that clearly indicates they are signing on behalf of the signer. The notary should also document this procedure in their journal.
If a document appears to be altered or tampered with, the notary should refuse to notarize it. The notary should inform the signer of the potential issues with the document, as notarizing an altered document could be legally questionable and unethical. The notary should document the refusal and any observations in their journal.
