What does "impartial witness" mean in the context of a Notary Public?

In the context of a Notary Public, an "impartial witness" refers to someone who is unbiased and has no personal interest in the transaction being witnessed. This means that the witness is neutral, ensuring that they do not have any vested interests or connections that could influence their judgment regarding the validity of the act they are observing.

This impartiality is crucial because it helps maintain the integrity of the notarization process. When a witness can confirm that they are not influenced by personal relationships or interests, it adds credibility to the notarized document, reinforcing that the signing parties are acting freely and voluntarily.

Having personal interests in the transaction, witnessing only for friends and family, or being overly familiar with the transaction details could compromise the objectivity necessary for an impartial witness, thus undermining the reliability of the notarization process.