Notary Ethics and Legal Responsibilities

As a notary, your only job is to verify identity and confirm that the signer acted voluntarily. You cannot give legal advice, interpret documents, advise on notarization necessity, or recommend specific services. Violating these boundaries exposes you to liability and disciplinary action.

A common mistake: clients ask 'Do I need this notarized?' or 'Should I sign this agreement?' You cannot answer these questions. Your response: 'I cannot provide legal advice. If you have concerns about the document, consult an attorney.' Giving legal advice is practicing law without a license.

You must refuse to notarize if you have a financial interest in the document, you're a party to the transaction, or you have a close relationship with the signer that creates bias. A standard rule: never notarize documents for family members or business partners. When in doubt, refer to another notary.

You must verify identity through acceptable government ID before notarizing. For RON, the platform handles KBA and credential analysis, but you must still observe the process and attest to the signer's identity. Never notarize someone you cannot see or whose identity you cannot verify.

You must be confident the signer is signing willingly and is not under duress. Red flags include: signer seems confused about document contents, a third party is pressuring them, signer appears incapacitated, or signer cannot communicate clearly. If something seems wrong, refuse the notarization.