Naughty Notary!

There are some things that you just can't do as a Notary. These things may sound obviously simple, but believe it or not, some have been caught doing some of these things. Here's some of the forbidden acts:

Notaries cannot notarize and incomplete or blank document.

A Notary cannot notarize the signature of their spouse, mother, father, daughter or son.

A Notary cannot notarize a signature on a document if the notary himself/herself has a financial interest in the transaction (for example, closing documents for the sale of their home)

A Notary cannot make any change to a document after it has been signed.

A Notary cannot use any other name or initial, than the one provided in their original commission, when signing a document.

A notary may not use a signature stamp unless they have a physical disability that prohibits their ability to make a written signature and unless they have first obtained permission from their Department of State, by submitting proper application.

Real common sense here.....A Notary must not notarize a signature on a document if it appears that the person is mentally incapable of understanding the nature and effect of signing a particular document at the time of notarization.

If any of this is news to you, I would suggest reviewing your state's statutes regarding Notary Law.