The NNA Hotline receives hundreds of calls daily from Notaries nationwide who find themselves in challenging signing situations. To help boost your knowledge of Notary Best Practices, we have created a series of scenarios based on actual signings, and ask you to weigh in on what you would do if faced with a similar situation.
For this scenario, imagine you work part-time as a sales clerk in a postal supply store. You are also a Notary, which is one of the reasons you were hired for the job. One busy day, you have two customers come in back to back requesting notarizations. The first is a woman dressed in a colorful hijab, the traditional Muslim garment covering her head and chest. She politely asks you to notarize a simple document, and you comply.
Meanwhile, the man awaiting his turn is making exasperated gestures and rolling his eyes. When the notarization is complete and your customer turns to leave, the man mutters a racially offensive slur about Muslims under his breath, but loud enough that both you and the woman can hear. You are offended and outraged at the comment, and want to say so as he approaches you with a handful of documents requiring notarizations. The last thing you want to do is assist this man.
What would you do? Do you hold your tongue and perform the notarization, or would you outright refuse it?
To participate in this week’s “What Would You Do” scenario, share your answer with the NNA Facebook Community. We may mention your response in an upcoming Bulletin, when we offer the best possible answer(s) to this common notarial challenge.
Kelle Clarke is a Contributing Editor with the National Notary Association.
Want to compare your ideas with others in the NNA Facebook Notary community? Check out some of our past ‘What Would You Do’ scenarios:
What Would You Do: The Case Of Soccer Mom's Missing ID
WWYD Answer: The Case Of The Soccer Mom's Missing ID
What Would You Do: The Case Of The Birth Certificate And The Near Newlyweds
WWYD Answer: The Case Of The Birth Certificate And The Near Newlyweds
What Would You Do: The Case Of The Missing Figures
WWYD Answer: The Case Of The Missing Figures
What Would You Do: The Case Of Healthy Signing Agent Competition
WWYD Answer: The Case of Healthy Signing Agent Competition
What Would You Do: The Case Of The Crowded Journal
WWYD Answer: The Case of the Crowded Journal