North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

If a notary drafted a document, what is the consequence regarding its notarization?

1. No consequence, they can still notarize

2. They must wait a week to notarize

3. They are prohibited from notarizing it

4. They need a second notary present

The correct answer is: They are prohibited from notarizing it

A notary public is required to maintain impartiality in their role, which includes not having a personal interest in the documents they notarize. If a notary drafts a document, they are effectively creating a financial or personal stake in the content and the outcome of that document. This could lead to a conflict of interest, as the notary may be seen as having a vested interest in the legitimacy or execution of the document they created. Consequently, the law prohibits notaries from notarizing documents they have drafted or in which they have a direct personal or financial interest. This prohibition helps to ensure the integrity and reliability of the notarization process, reinforcing the principle that notaries must act as neutral witnesses. By adhering to this standard, the notary upholds the trust placed in the notarial system.