Is it allowable for a notary to serve as both a notary and an attorney in the same transaction?

A notary serving as both a notary and an attorney in the same transaction raises significant ethical concerns, primarily related to conflicts of interest. The role of a notary is to act as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, ensuring that the identities of the signers are verified and that they are signing willingly and without coercion. When the notary also has an attorney-client relationship with one of the parties, it compromises their impartiality, as the notary may have a vested interest in the outcome of the transaction.

Maintaining a clear boundary between these two roles is essential to uphold the integrity of the notary's work. By not allowing a notary to serve in both capacities for the same transaction, the legal system aims to preserve the trust in notarial acts, ensuring that they are conducted fairly and without bias.

In other scenarios where a dual role could be considered, the necessity for full transparency and consent from both parties does not eliminate the inherent conflict, which is why such situations are typically not permitted.