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

A notary's role includes ensuring that the signer is doing so voluntarily and without any undue stress or coercion. If a notary suspects that a signer is being pressured to sign a document, it is critical for them to refuse to notarize until they are satisfied that the signing is voluntary. This is aligned with the ethical and legal responsibilities of a notary public, which include safeguarding the integrity of the notarization process and protecting the rights of the individuals involved.

Choosing to proceed with notarization without clarity on the signer's willingness could result in legal issues and undermine the purpose of notarization, which is to attest to the authenticity of signatures. Asking the signer directly about feeling pressured might be helpful, but it does not remove the requirement for the notary to ensure that there is no coercion. Seeking approval from a supervisor may not address the immediate concern and still places the notary in a position of non-compliance with their duties to verify voluntary signing. Thus, the best course of action is for the notary to refuse service until they have confirmed that the signing is indeed voluntary.