Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?

The ability for a notary to refuse to notarize a document is grounded in ethical considerations and legal requirements. A notary public is entrusted with ensuring that the signatures they witness and the documents they notarize adhere to certain standards.

When a notary determines that legal and ethical criteria are not fulfilled—such as the lack of personal identification, the signer's inability to understand what they're signing, signs of coercion, or inconsistency in the information provided—they have the right and responsibility to refuse notarization. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the notarization process and protecting against fraud.

In contrast, the other options suggest an obligation to notarize regardless of the circumstances or signer's request, which undermines the notary's role in safeguarding against improper transactions and ensuring that the notarization process is conducted with due diligence. A notary must balance their obligations and should only proceed when all required criteria are clearly satisfied.