North Carolina Notary Practice Exam

Is it legal for a notary to notarize a document with a forged signature?

1. Yes

2. No

The correct answer is: No

Notaries are public officials who play a crucial role in verifying the identity of signers and ensuring that documents are executed properly according to the law. Notarizing a document with a forged signature is illegal because it undermines the trust and integrity of the notarization process. When a notary acknowledges a signature, they affirm that the person who signed the document appeared before them and signed it voluntarily. If the signature is forged, the notary has not fulfilled their duty to verify the identity or the voluntary act of the signer, leading to significant legal ramifications, including possible criminal charges for the notary. Additionally, allowing the notarization of forged documents can lead to fraudulent activities and can have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved. The notary could be held liable for any issues that arise from a document that was improperly notarized, further highlighting the importance of adhering to legal standards in notary practices. Thus, a notary must refuse to notarize any document with a forged signature to maintain the legitimacy of their role.