Conflict of Interest Tips
Notarizing for Family Members and the Family Businesses
Our readers have undoubtedly heard the legendary story about President Calvin Coolidge being sworn into the office of President of the United States of America by his father in 1923.
... Continue ReadingNotarizing for Family Members
Notaries must be impartial witnesses to transactions. They may not have an interest in the documents that they notarize. By the same token, notaries are prohibited from notarizing their own signatures, or documents in which they are named.
... Continue ReadingCan a Notary Offer Non-Notarial Services to their Notary Clients?
Most notaries acquire a notary commission as an additional credential. Very often, offering notarial services is not the notary's only, or primary, occupation. Many individuals become notaries at the request of their employers, while others wish to offer services to their local communities and neighborhoods.
... Continue ReadingCan a Witness to a Notarization Have a Financial Interest in the Notarized Document?
The role of the notary public in society is of vital importance. When a notary places his or her stamp and signature on a document, the document recipient or the receiving institution automatically assumes that the notary has executed his or her responsibility correctly. This means that the notary has maintained impartiality, has performed notarial duties according to state law, and has acted with the utmost integrity.
... Continue ReadingRefusing to Notarize When There Is a Question of Benefit
A notary public should comply with every reasonable request when called upon to notarize a document. However, there are times when a request may not only be unreasonable, but may actually be unlawful.
... Continue ReadingNotaries, Avoid Conflicts of Interest!
Never act in a notary capacity if you have any involvement whatsoever in the transaction taking place. If you are named in the document, or if a family member or close affiliate is named, refuse to notarize. You must be a completely unbiased witness to the execution, and you are not unbiased, if for example, your spouse, your sister, or your boyfriend stands to gain financially or emotionally from the transaction taking place.
... Continue ReadingLegal Disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries seeks to provide timely articles for notaries to assist them with information for managing their notary businesses, enhancing their notary education, and securing their notary stamp and notary supplies. Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. However, we make no warrant, expressed or implied, and we do not represent, undertake, or guarantee that the information in the newsletter is correct, accurate, complete, or non-misleading. Information in this article is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding notaries' best practices, federal laws and statutes, and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from a variety of sources and do not warrant its accuracy. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, loss, damage, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss or consequential loss out of or in connection with the use of the information contained in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their states' notary authorities or attorneys in their state if they have legal questions. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
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Advertisement [8]
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Affidavits [2]
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Apostille [2]
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Conflict of Interest [6]
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Copy Certification [4]
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Duties of a Notary [10]
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Foreign Language Documents [4]
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Handling Difficult Notarization [10]
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How to Become a Notary [19]
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I-9 Forms [2]
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Identifications [3]
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Maintaining Your Notary Commission [10]
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Marketing [16]
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Membership to Notary Association [2]
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Mobile Notary [5]
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Notarial Certificates [11]
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Notary & Employer [6]
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Notary Best Practices [73]
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Notary Bonds [2]
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Notary Commission [3]
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Notary Courses - Online Course [1]
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Notary Errors and Omissions Insurance [1]
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Notary Fees [5]
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Notary Journals [12]
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Notary Laws [11]
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Notary Locator [1]
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Notary News [3]
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Notary Stamp and Supplies [37]
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Practicing Law Without a License [13]
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Privacy & Security [7]
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Remote Online Notarization - (RONS) [4]
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Signing Agent [5]
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Steps to a Proper Notarization [74]
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Taxes [4]
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Website [2]
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What Does a Notary Do? [20]
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Wills [2]
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Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.