Is a notary public responsible for the content of the document they are notarizing?

A notary public's primary responsibility is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that the signing process is conducted correctly. This includes confirming that the signer is mentally competent and acting voluntarily, as well as ensuring that the document is complete, meaning it should not have any blank spaces that could later be filled in without the signer's knowledge.

However, the notary is not tasked with evaluating or ensuring the accuracy or legality of the content within the document itself. The notary's role is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of the document, and their duty is focused on the signing process rather than the validity or correctness of what is being signed. Therefore, the notary has no responsibility for the document's content, highlighting the importance of their role in the execution of the notarial act rather than the substance of the document being notarized.