What should a notary do if they suspect fraud during a notarization?

When a notary suspects fraud during the notarization process, the appropriate course of action is to refuse to complete the notarization. This is essential because a notary’s primary responsibility is to ensure the integrity of the notarization and protect against fraudulent activities. By refusing to notarize the document, the notary prevents the potential facilitation of a fraudulent transaction, which could have legal implications for themselves and impact anyone affected by the fraudulent act.

Maintaining the integrity of the notarization process is fundamental to the role of a notary, and allowing a fraudulent notarization could undermine public trust in the notarial system. Additionally, the notary may later need to provide information about their suspicions if required, but the immediate priority should be to halt the process to prevent further issues. This action helps safeguard not only the notary's interests but also the interests of the public and the parties involved.