What is one of the main standards of a notary?

One of the main standards of a notary is to uphold the public trust. This responsibility is central to the role as notaries serve as impartial witnesses to the signing of important documents, ensuring that transactions are conducted fairly and ethically. By maintaining neutrality and integrity, notaries help protect the interests of all parties involved and contribute to the integrity of the legal and business systems. This commitment to public trust fosters confidence among the community that notarized documents are credible and reliable, which is essential for the functioning of legal and commercial transactions.

In contrast, the other options either misrepresent the role of a notary or reflect a conflict of interest. Notaries are expected to serve the public without seeking to profit from their services or limiting access to documents. Additionally, maintaining personal relationships with clients could create potential biases, which contradicts the principle of impartiality that is vital to the notary's duties.