What actions must a notary public refrain from if they are not a licensed attorney?

A notary public who is not a licensed attorney must refrain from preparing wills and legal documents. This is because the practice of law is restricted to licensed attorneys, and engaging in such activities without proper legal qualifications can lead to unauthorized practice of law claims. Notaries are primarily tasked with witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and verifying identities, but not providing legal advice or preparing legal documents, which requires specialized knowledge and expertise.

While a notary can certify signatures on documents to confirm that the signature is genuine, they cannot take on the additional role of drafting or preparing those documents unless they are a licensed attorney. Thus, the combination of both actions—certifying signatures generally is acceptable for a notary, but the preparation of legal documents is not—is captured in the correct choice since it encompasses preparations that are strictly prohibited.