Can a Notary in Alabama notarize a document for relatives? — J.M., Alabama
Yes, you may notarize for relatives. There is no law that prohibits you from doing so, but the Alabama Attorney General has stated that the better practice would be for a Notary to refrain from notarizing the signature of his or her spouse or immediate family member (Ala. Atty. Gen. Opinion 95-00289; see page 6). The issue with notarizing for family members is that your impartiality can be questioned because of your relationship to the signer.
Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors
Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
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