The prohibition against a notary public notarizing their own signature is rooted in the principle of impartiality, which is a cornerstone of notarization. A notary is expected to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. If a notary were allowed to notarize their own signature, it would create a conflict of interest, as they would be both the signer and the witness, undermining the integrity of the notarization process. This requirement helps protect the interests of all parties involved and ensures that the notarial act is conducted fairly and legally.
The other options suggest scenarios where notarizing one's own signature could be permissible, which goes against established notarial standards. For instance, the idea of using a witness or claiming that emergencies provide an exception do not align with the regulations set forth for notaries. Similarly, even if a notary were appointed as a commissioner, they cannot act in their own interests in a notarial capacity, maintaining the standard separation between the role of the notary and the signer.