Notaries experience many benefits, including unlimited income, flexibility and security. They also don’t need advanced degrees or experience to earn their commissions. However, they have significant responsibilities.

Tool Security

Notaries use notary embossers or self-inking stamps with their commission numbers on them. They also have a record or journal of their notarizations. Notaries must ensure that these tools are secured at all times. They should be in a locked drawer or safe. These professionals must ensure that no other person is given access or is allowed to use their seals. They must prevent their seals from being reproduced.

Fees

Notary fees should be the same for everyone, no matter their demographic characteristics. Fees should also not be changed based on the client’s relationship with the notary’s employer. Notary fees should be consistent and within the state’s set fee range.

Records

Notaries are responsible for keeping records of every notary act they complete. They typically have a journal that is used to record the client’s information, type of document witnessed and date. Additional details, such as fee, may also be recorded.

Refusals

Notaries are required to provide their services without bias, including biases based on gender, race, religion, political affiliation, lifestyle or any other demographic characteristic. They are government officers and public servants, so they must be fair in their client selection. No partiality or appearance thereof is allowed. However, they are able to refuse service to anyone based on their schedule or other duties.

In addition, a notary can refuse to witness a document signing if they suspect or know that the act is not legal or improper. For example, if the notary knows the document is a copy rather than an original, a refusal is appropriate. Notaries should not be swayed to perform illegal or improper notarizations for the company they work for, even if they are pressured to do it.

In addition, they cannot witness the signing of a document without the signer’s presence and if the document has already been signed. Notaries cannot notarize their own signatures or those of their close relatives.

Professionalism

Notaries are public servants. As such, they are required to act with professionalism in their duties. They cannot appear to be impartial or improper and cannot appear to exert undue influence to get a document signed.

Although individuals can receive notary commissions relatively easily, these professionals have strict guidelines they must adhere to.