What is the recommended practice if a Notary has a personal relationship with a signer?

When a Notary has a personal relationship with a signer, referring the notarization to another Notary is considered the best practice to maintain impartiality and avoid any conflicts of interest. This approach helps ensure that the notarization process remains objective and that the Notary is not influenced by personal feelings or connections, which could undermine the integrity of the notarization. By delegating the task to another Notary, the original Notary protects themselves legally and ethically, reinforcing trust in the notarial process.

The other options do not align with the ethics of notarial practice. Notarizing the document anyway disregards the impartiality requirement and may raise questions about the validity of the notarization. Discussing the relationship with the signer may lead to discomfort or misunderstandings, which does not necessarily resolve the issue of potential bias. Notarizing with a witness present does not eliminate the conflict of interest posed by a personal relationship and might still call into question the Notary's ability to remain neutral.