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3 questions signers should never ask Notaries

Three people looking at a tablet on a table.

While good customer service is an important part of any Notary business, your duties require you to say ‘no’ to any improper requests from a signer. Here are 3 requests that no signer should ever ask of a Notary — and no Notary should ever agree to.

Question 1: “I don’t have ID — can’t you just skip that part?”

A frequent request from signers lacking proper identification — and one you should never accept — is asking a Notary to skip the identification process and notarize without it. As a Notary, you must always follow state Notary laws when identifying a signer. In some states, a signer who lacks identification can be identified through alternative methods, such as credible identifying witnesses. But if a signer asks you to notarize without being properly identified, always say ‘no.’

Question 2: “I need this signature notarized — but I can’t be there. Can’t you just notarize it anyway as a favor?”

Many Notaries have lost their commissions and faced costly lawsuits by answering ‘yes’ to this question. If the person who made the signature is not present for the notarization, you cannot tell if the signature was made willingly — or even if the signature was genuine!

Never accept a request to notarize an absent person’s signature without the signer being present — even if the person asking you is a spouse, relative or friend. There have been cases where a trusted family member or colleague has convinced a Notary to do so, only for the Notary to find out later that the person making the request was committing fraud. And once that happens, the Notary faces serious potential legal penalties and liability for negligence.

Question 3: “I need to meet a deadline — can you change the date of notarization on the document to help me out?”

Many documents you are asked to notarize are time-sensitive, especially real estate documents. Sometimes, a Notary will be asked to back-date or post-date the date the notarization took place. Doing so is against the law in every state. Never falsify the date a notarization takes place on a notarial certificate — doing so is illegal and could lead to serious civil and criminal penalties against you.

Need guidance?

If you have questions about a customer request, contact your state Notary agency or a resource such as the NNA Notary Hotline for guidance before you proceed.

David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association


Related Articles:

How to spot illegal Notary requests

5 scammers Notaries need to watch out for

When to say ‘No’ … and when refusing a notarization is not allowed


Additional Resources:

Notary Essentials

The Notary Public Code Of Professional Responsibility


View All: Best Practices

37 Comments

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Debbie Carter

04 Aug 2025

I had a customer come in last week and wanted a plat map notarized. The plat map was for Arizona and I'm a California Notary. When I told him I couldn't use my Notary Stamp he kept insisting it's only a stamp and if it smears no big deal! " It's not like you'll go to prison" I called to verify with the National Notary and via speaker he was told that a California Notary cannot use their Notary Stamp on a plat map unless a certificate was used. I wasn't even able to tell him exactly what I would or could do. Not to mention i had to go looking for a permanent marker.

Maricela

04 Aug 2025

I was asked if I can notarize a handwritten will or a handwritten letter stating if person dies the house will be left to a family member in writing Am I able to notarize a handwritten paper?

National Notary Association

05 Aug 2025

Hello. Because last wills and testaments are complex legal documents, you should only proceed with notarizing a will if you have been provided with clear, authoritative legal instructions how to proceed. Please see this page for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/about-notaries/tips-tutorials/notarize-wills

Larry spinelli

04 Aug 2025

Tank u

Samson

04 Aug 2025

Are remote motorizations in Missouri ?

National Notary Association

05 Aug 2025

Hello. Missouri Notaries can register to perform remote notarizations. For more information, please see here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/remote-online-notary/how-to-become-a-remote-online-notary/missouri

David

04 Aug 2025

More of a question. But had an issue where I needed a document to be notarized however it was only to verify that I was signing and it was me. Said document was in another language but notary refused to notarize because it was not in English. Went to another place where it was notarized as it was verifying identity nothing else. That left me thinking was this first person being just a jerk and probably profiling me racially? Or was the second person not doing their due diligence?

National Notary Association

04 Aug 2025

Hello. When it comes to foreign-language documents, typically, a Notary is permitted to notarize as long as the notarial certificate wording is in a language the Notary understands. However, it is reasonable for a Notary to be concerned about the possibility that the document's content is not being accurately represented to the Notary or signer, because if the Notary can't read the language, there is no way for the Notary to check this. For more information, please see this article: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/about-notaries/tips-tutorials/notarize-foreign-language-documents If you can tell us what state you are located in, we will be happy to let you know if your state has additional guidelines for Notaries regarding foreign-language documents and/or refusal of services.

jchenier

03 Sep 2024

I want to become a mobile notary in the state of California

National Notary Association

04 Sep 2024

Hello. You can get started becoming a Notary in California by following the instructions on this page: https://www.nationalnotary.org/california

Shahla Steele

02 Sep 2024

I had a client ask me if I could write undated on the doc but said I could still fill out my certificate with the date I was to sign. Is this common practice? I was uncomfortable doing that so I told him no because here in Hawaii our wording states we need a Doc. Description and a date of document. Just wondering if I did this correctly. Thank you.

National Notary Association

04 Sep 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Lucy L. Adkins

02 Sep 2024

GOOD VERY GOOD INFOR

Jessie israel

02 Sep 2024

Online Notary is that illegal in Georgia

National Notary Association

03 Sep 2024

Hello. Not at present. Georgia previously had temporary rules authorizing remote notarization but they have now expired.

Esmeralda Salazar

04 Aug 2023

How can I go about in obtaining remote notarizations' in the state of California and are they available in this state?

National Notary Association

07 Aug 2023

Hello. California Notaries are not authorized to perform remote notarizations.

Trisha

31 Jul 2023

Can you be a notary and two different states?

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. Please see this article for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/10/faq-where-can-notaries-use-their-commissions#more-commission

Margaret

31 Jul 2023

The other day I was asked, "Can't you just stamp it, it's no big deal." Yeah, it kind of is... I keep running into people that think that Notarization flat out means whatever it is is legit, approved, legal, as long as I've stamped it. I send them to the Secretary of State's website to show them it's not.

Angela Leggett

31 Jul 2023

I am a E Notary, how can I find a loan signing class in Fayetteville NC?

National Notary Association

18 Sep 2023

Hello. While we offer online training, you can check with your local community college or any other location that may offer education training.

Guillermina Miranda

31 Jul 2023

Can you send me information from Florida?

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. What type of information are you looking for?

Lavleen Singh

31 Jul 2023

What is process for remote notary in Maryland Montgomery county?

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. For more information, please see here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/remote-online-notary/how-to-become-a-remote-online-notary/maryland

Kristi Coleman

31 Jul 2023

Does the ID requirement still apply if you know the signer personally?

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. To help us answer your question, what state are you commissioned in?

Elisa Brooks

31 Jul 2023

How do I become a travel notary for the state of Connecticut?

National Notary Association

31 Jul 2023

Hello. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2020/12/4-steps-to-become-a-mobile-notary

Paula simpson

17 Jun 2022

How do I become a traveling notary in the state of Arizona, and how much does it cost?

National Notary Association

17 Jun 2022

Hello! Please visit https://www.nationalnotary.org/arizona/how-to-become-arizona-notary for steps to become a Notary in Arizona and to get more information including the related costs.

Inez Carroll

06 Jun 2022

None at this time

LaThomas odell white

07 May 2022

I want to learn more of what to do not to do at a notary Republic

National Notary Association

30 Jun 2022

Hello. You can find more information on that here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/05/3-things-cant-do-as-notary

Eloise Brown

03 May 2022

I what is the process in being a remote notary? What are fees for Arkansas?

National Notary Association

10 May 2022

Hello. You can find more Arkansas RON information here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/remote-online-notary/how-to-become-a-remote-online-notary/arkansas

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