In the case of suspected document fraud, what is a recommended initial step for a notary?

In situations involving suspected document fraud, the recommended initial step for a notary is to politely decline the request. This action is rooted in the notary's obligation to maintain the integrity of the notarial process. When a notary suspects that a document may be fraudulent, proceeding with the notarization could inadvertently contribute to the fraud, thus compromising both the notary’s duties and their legal standing.

Declining the request allows the notary to distance themselves from the potentially fraudulent situation, while also protecting the public from being misled or harmed by the fraudulent document. Taking this step shows prudence and adherence to ethical standards, as the notary would rather decline a notarization than facilitate an act that could be illegal or wrongful.

While other options involve actions that could be taken in different contexts, the immediate priority when facing potential fraud is to avoid becoming involved with the questionable document altogether. Consulting a lawyer or informing the requester may be necessary actions later on but are not ideal as immediate responses when fraud is suspected. Similarly, requesting further documentation could draw the notary further into an uncertain situation that they should avoid.