One of the fundamental ethical principles for notaries is impartiality. Notaries should not benefit personally from the notarization and must act as unbiased witnesses.
The primary role of a notary public is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to verify the authenticity of signatures. Notaries do not provide legal advice, draft documents, or offer translation services.
If a notary makes a mistake, they should inform the affected parties and make a record of the error in their journal. Altering the original document or destroying it is not appropriate; proper procedures and documentation should be followed.
Notaries must avoid situations where they have a financial interest in the document being notarized, as this creates a conflict of interest and violates ethical guidelines.
If a notary is unsure about the validity or legality of a document, they should refuse to notarize it and seek guidance from legal counsel. Notaries are responsible for ensuring the document meets legal standards before proceeding.
