What happens if a notary places their signature and seal without completing the notarial certificate?

When a notary public places their signature and seal on a document without completing the notarial certificate, it creates a situation where the document is considered invalid. The notarial certificate serves a crucial role in defining the scope and validity of the notarial act—it outlines what the notary has witnessed and certifies that certain requirements were met. If this certificate is not completed, the essential information about what the notary was authenticating is absent, leading to ambiguity regarding the authenticity and validity of the document.

For a document to hold legal weight, the notary's actions must be properly documented through the certificate. Failure to complete this step leaves the notarial act without necessary formalities, making it ineffective. Thus, the lack of a completed notarial certificate ultimately renders the document invalid in the eyes of the law.