Hotline Tip: How To Respond When The Signer Is Unsure

A signer brought in an affidavit ballot saying he believed it required notarization, but he wasn’t certain. Should I perform this notarization? – K.H., New York, NY

Check the document to see if it contains a notarial certificate, and, if it does, you may proceed to notarize the document. You are not responsible — nor are you authorized — to determine whether or not a certain document requires notarization; that is the responsibility of the signer. If a signer is requesting any particular document be notarized, you may proceed without questioning the signer’s certainty of whether or not the document requires notarization.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. — The Editors

Kelle Clarke is a Contributing Editor with the National Notary Association.