Can a notary public notarize a signature on a document that is incomplete or blank?

A notary public is required to ensure that the document being notarized is complete and clearly understood by all parties involved. Notarizing an incomplete or blank document poses significant risks, including the potential for fraud or misrepresentation. Since a notary's role is to verify the identity of the signer and confirm their understanding of the document they are signing, allowing an incomplete or blank document to be notarized would undermine this process and could lead to serious legal consequences.

The guidelines governing notarial acts emphasize that notaries should not perform a notarization unless the document is fully executed. This reinforces the necessity for documents to contain all relevant information, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the notarization process.