North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

A notary has a crucial responsibility to ensure that the signatures they are notarizing are made willingly and without any form of intimidation or coercion. When a notary suspects that a signer is being coerced, the appropriate action is to refuse to notarize the document. This decision safeguards the integrity of the notarization process and protects both the signer and the notary from potential legal issues.

Coercion implies that the signer may not be acting under their own free will, thus compromising the legitimacy of the transaction. By refusing to notarize, the notary maintains ethical standards and ensures that the document reflects true consent. In situations where coercion is suspected, notarizing the document could lead to legal ramifications, including accusations of participation in fraudulent activity.

While contacting law enforcement for guidance may seem prudent in a coercive situation, the notary’s primary obligation is to refrain from proceeding with the notarization when there are reasonable doubts about the willingness of the signer. Hence, declining to notarize is the most responsible course of action to uphold the integrity of the notarization process.