What is the most common violation among notaries?

The most common violation among notaries relates to not requiring the presence of the signer. This is critical because a notary's primary role is to verify the identity of the signer and ensure that they are present during the notarization process. Not requiring the signer to be physically present can undermine the integrity of the notarization and increase the risk of fraud or coercion.

Being physically present allows the notary to assess the signer's comprehension of the document and confirm that they are signing willingly. This practice not only helps to ensure the legal validity of the notarization but also protects both the notary and the signer from potential disputes or legal issues that may arise due to improper notarization practices.

While the other options involve important duties and responsibilities of a notary, the need for the signer's presence is fundamentally crucial for the notarization to be authentic and trustworthy.