What action should a notary avoid when taking an acknowledgment?

A notary public is required to maintain neutrality and impartiality when performing duties, particularly during the acknowledgment process. This includes refraining from conveying personal opinions about the document being acknowledged. When a notary expresses personal opinions, it could call into question their objectivity and impartiality, which are essential to the integrity of their role.

Conveying personal opinions could lead to misunderstandings about the nature of the document or influence the signer's decision making, potentially compromising the notary's duties and the authenticity of the acknowledgment. The role of the notary is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that they are signing willingly and under their own free will, rather than injecting personal sentiments or judgments about the document’s content.

The other actions, such as verifying the signer's identity thoroughly and using the official seal correctly, are part of the essential duties of a notary that ensure legal compliance and the validity of the notarization. Providing legal advice to the signer is also an area of concern, as notaries are not authorized to give legal counsel, further emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strictly impartial and neutral stance during the acknowledgment process.