At the time you become a notary public, it may appear to be a good choice to notarize your or your family’s papers. After all, you already have the power, seal, and training. But the reality is that it can lead to very serious legal trouble when you do so. We will look into the rules and the ethical dilemmas that surround this issue and ask the question: can you really notarize documents if they are your personal or family matters?
Can You Notarize Your Own Documents?
The answer to this question is short, No! Notary publics cannot sign their own documents ever. The notary public’s duties consist of being a neutral witness who checks the signer’s identity and willingness. The moment your signature appears on the paper, you lose your neutrality, which in a way nullifies the whole process and even might result in fines or loss of your commission.
Can You Notarize Your Own Signature?
It is a rule that notaries cannot notarize their own signatures under any circumstances. Can You Notarize Your Own Signature? Quite the opposite, a serious conflict of interest Jeremie Larsen, subjected to law, notaries’ duty is to determine the authenticity of someone else’s signature and not to stand in support of their own. Always find another authorized notary to get your document notarized online or in-person if needed.
Can a Notary Notarize Their Own Documents?
To elaborate, can a Notary Public certify their own Documents? The answer is no, the law regards such an act as self-serving and thus invalid. A notarized document must be devoid of any personal interest or undue influence. A notary’s direct or indirect advantage from the result of the document’s processing can thus lead to the notary’s partiality being questioned and the notarization being deemed invalid in a court of law.
Notarizing one’s own power of attorney or loan agreement would be an evident case of conflict of interest. Thus, always having a third-party notary to manage such documents is a wise decision.
Notarizing for Family Members – Is It Allowed?
This is determined by your state’s legislation. Some jurisdictions permit notaries to notarize for relatives unless they are financially interested in the document or otherwise involved. However, even if technically allowed, it’s better to steer clear of such situations just to be on the safe side and not lose the public’s trust. The act of notarizing your spouse’s or parent’s documents could at any moment be interpreted as a lack of impartiality, particularly in the context of legal or financial issues.
When in a situation that you are unsure of, ask yourself the following questions
- Would this document benefit me personally?
- So would this result in a possible conflict of interest?
- Another way to put this is to ask if anyone would ever question your impartiality.
If the replies are in the affirmative, do not proceed with notarization.
How to Properly Get Documents Notarized
If you want a document to be notarized immediately and with ease, there exist safe alternatives. An online certified remote notary can notarize your document. This procedure is secure, legally recognized, and frequently available 24/7. Remote notarization consists of the client submitting his/her document, confirming his/her identity through a secure portal, and having a video meeting with a live notary.
Conclusion
Notarizing your own or a family member’s documents, though it may seem practical, is a great no-no. By law, neutrality is needed to ensure the correctness and visibility of all notarial operations. To prevent any disputes or documents being made void, it is better to select a qualified and impartial notary public, either face-to-face or via a secure internet platform. Is there anything unclear regarding your case?
Consult with a certified notary today and make sure that every document is properly handled!