Are notaries allowed to offer legal advice?

Notaries are prohibited from providing legal advice unless they also hold a license to practice law. This restriction is in place to ensure that individuals seeking legal assistance receive guidance from qualified professionals who have the appropriate training and knowledge of the law. While notaries play a crucial role in the notarization process, which includes verifying the identity of signers and witnessing signatures, they do not possess the legal expertise necessary to interpret statutes or provide legal counsel.

This safeguard helps protect the public from receiving potentially incorrect or misleading information regarding legal matters. It also delineates the roles between notaries and attorneys, ensuring that legal advice is given by those who are fully qualified.