New York State Notary Practice Exam 2025 - Free Notary Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a notary suspects fraud during the notarization process, it is essential to prioritize the integrity of the notarization and the legal implications involved. In such situations, the most appropriate action is to report the issue to law enforcement and refuse to notarize the document.

This response is crucial because a notary's primary role is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to ensure that the transaction is legitimate. If there are signs or reasonable grounds for believing that fraud is occurring, notarizing the document could facilitate a fraudulent act, thereby implicating the notary in illegal activities. Reporting the suspicion to the authorities ensures that proper investigations can be carried out, safeguarding the notary from potential legal repercussions and maintaining the notary's professional ethics and responsibilities.

Proceeding with the notarization while documenting the suspicion is insufficient and could result in further complications. Discussing concerns with a colleague does not address the issue at hand nor does it provide a clear resolution to potential fraud. Simply notifying the signers to adjust their documents does not resolve the underlying suspicion and could still lead to legal issues if the documents remain fraudulent. Thus, the obligation of the notary calls for clear action — refuse the notarization and alert law enforcement to uphold the law