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Notary Voices: Real stories of misbehaving signers

“What’s the worst behavior you’ve witnessed during a notarization?”

Every Notary knows that doing business comes with its own unique challenges, balancing your dual roles as an impartial public servant and an entrepreneur or business professional. Add the fact that mobile Notaries and Signing Agents walk into unexpected circumstances daily, and you have the recipe for many kinds of difficult situations.

As can be expected, most signers don’t understand these realities. All they want to do is get their document notarized as quickly as possible by any means necessary. Then there’s the X-factor of things happening that you never could have predicted. the-notary-public-code-of-professional


video property of RNS & Steven Dwayne Ransom


The worst behavior witnessed during a notarization often involves a signer exhibiting clear signs of confusion, intoxication, or coercion, where they seem unable to understand the document they are signing, are clearly under the influence, or are being pressured by someone else to sign against their will; this can include situations where the signer is being verbally abusive towards the notary or refusing to provide proper identification. 

Other examples of bad behavior during a notarization could be:
  1. Trying to forge signatures: A person attempting to sign for someone else without their authorization. 
  2. Providing false identification: Presenting a fake ID to be notarized 
  3. Refusing to follow notary procedures: Ignoring requests to provide necessary information or refusing to complete the required verification steps. 
  4. Disruptive behavior: Being excessively loud, aggressive, or causing a disturbance during the notarization process. 
  5. Pressuring the notary: Attempting to influence the notary to overlook potential issues with the document or the signer's identity. 

The Code is divided into 10 widely accepted “Guiding Principles” that address the key facets of a Notary's duties and responsibilities and provide general rules ... The standards in this Code are of two types. The majority are principles, policies, and practices that have proven effective in ...

97 pages ... 

code-of-professional-responsibility-2020 





If you have an insight or opinion on this topic, share your thoughts and experiences.

Disclosure: I am not licensed to practice law or give legal advice.
However, I can help you with a variety of notary services.



The information in this blog is not intended to be legal advice.
If you have a question about a specific notary law or regulation,
please consult an attorney in your state.

 


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