To prevent fraud, a notary should use two forms of identification or credible witnesses to verify the identity of the signer. This approach adds an extra layer of security and reduces the risk of accepting fraudulent documents.
If a notary suspects that a document is forged, they should refuse to notarize it and document the refusal in their notarial journal. This protects the notary from potential legal issues and maintains the integrity of the notarial process.
A notary seal should be replaced if it becomes worn or damaged to ensure that it remains legible and effective. While seals should also be replaced if stolen or lost, routine maintenance is crucial for preventing issues during notarization.
A notary should refuse to notarize a document if it appears incomplete. Notarizing incomplete documents can lead to legal complications and questions about the validity of the notarization. The notary should ensure that the document is complete and accurate before proceeding.
If a Nebraska notary’s seal is lost or stolen, the immediate action is to notify the Secretary of State’s office and request a replacement seal. This helps prevent misuse of the lost or stolen seal and ensures that the notary’s authority remains valid.
