What should a notary do if they suspect fraud in a document?

When a notary suspects fraud in a document, the appropriate action is to refuse to notarize the document. Notaries have a legal and ethical obligation to verify the identity of the signers and the authenticity of the documents they are notarizing. If there are indications of possible fraud, such as forged signatures, incorrect information, or questionable circumstances surrounding the signing, proceeding with the notarization would not only violate these responsibilities but could also make the notary complicit in the fraudulent act.

Refusing to notarize protects both the notary and the integrity of the notarization process. It upholds the standards required for notarization and ensures that only legitimate transactions are documented. This action also helps to maintain public trust in the notarial system, which is vital for legal and financial transactions.

Notifying authorities, contacting a lawyer, or completing the notarization without addressing the suspected fraud may seem like logical steps, but they do not align with the immediate responsibility of a notary to act against potential wrongdoing by refraining from notarizing the document in question.