What must a Notary ensure before notarizing a document?

Before notarizing a document, a Notary must ensure that the signers are not under duress. This is crucial because the principle of notarization rests on the premise that the signers are entering into agreements voluntarily and of their own free will. If someone is being coerced or pressured into signing a document, it undermines the authenticity of their signature and the validity of the document itself.

In the context of notarization, duress can involve physical threat, emotional pressure, or manipulation that may influence a signer's decision to sign. By confirming that the signers are not under any duress, the Notary helps to protect the integrity of the notarization process, ensuring that all parties involved are consenting to the document without any external pressures.

Addressing the other options, it is not a requirement for the document to be filed with the court before notarization, there is no stipulation that requires signers to be lawyers, and the legibility of a document (whether it is typed or handwritten) does not directly relate to the Notary's responsibility to ensure the signers’ voluntary consent.