A notary should never do what?

In notary practice, it is essential for notaries to maintain a neutral and impartial role in the notarization process. When a notary is a party to the document being notarized, it can create a conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the notarization. The purpose of notarization is to provide an unbiased verification of the signer's identity and willingness to sign the document. By being a party to the document, the notary compromises this impartiality, as their personal interests may influence the notarization.

Notaries are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism, which includes staying out of the contractual agreements or transactions they are verifying. This separation ensures that the notary's role as an unbiased witness is clear and untainted by personal stakes in the outcome of the document.

In contrast, while notaries can act as witnesses to documents under certain circumstances, charge a fee for their services where allowed by state law, and may answer questions related to the notarization process itself, providing legal advice goes beyond their role and can lead to unauthorized practice of law issues. Thus, the prohibition against being a party to a document is crucial for maintaining the trust and validity of the notarial act.