What can a notary public not do in regard to the practice of law?

A notary public is strictly prohibited from engaging in activities that are considered the practice of law. This includes both the preparation of legal documents and offering legal advice to clients. The role of a notary is primarily to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, administer oaths, and perform other duties as mandated by law.

Preparing legal documents requires legal knowledge and skill that is beyond what a notary is trained to provide. Likewise, interpreting legal situations and offering advice based on those interpretations also falls within the legal practice, which is outside the purview of a notary's responsibilities. Therefore, both preparing documents and offering legal advice represent actions that could potentially mislead the public into believing that the notary has qualifications they do not possess.

The distinction is crucial for maintaining the integrity of both the notary profession and the legal system. By clearly delineating the responsibilities of a notary from those of legal professionals, the law protects the public from unqualified legal representation and ensures that only licensed attorneys provide legal services.