In which situation is a notary permitted to refuse service?

A notary public has the responsibility to ensure that the notarization process is conducted in a lawful and ethical manner. This includes assessing both the signer and the document being presented for notarization. A notary is permitted to refuse service in circumstances where there are legitimate concerns regarding the authenticity of either party or the integrity of the document.

When a signer is unknown to the notary, it raises immediate concerns about identity verification, which is fundamental to the notarization process. Notaries are required to verify that the individual signing the document is who they claim to be. If the notary cannot verify the identity of the signer through acceptable forms of identification, they are justified in refusing to proceed with the notarization.

Additionally, if a document appears suspicious, the notary has the authority to refuse service. This includes situations where the document might seem to be altered, forged, or otherwise not in compliance with legal standards. Notaries must maintain a level of caution and protect against fraud, as notarizations provide a level of trust and authenticity to documents that may have significant legal implications.

Furthermore, a signer presenting an identification that is expired also raises concerns about proper identification, but this particular scenario falls more specifically under a type of refusal than the broader categories specified.