When is it acceptable for a notary to notarize a previously signed document?

The appropriate situation for a notary to notarize a previously signed document is during the performance of an acknowledgment notarial act. In an acknowledgment, the notary confirms that the signer has willingly signed the document and understands its contents, regardless of whether the signature was made before or during the actual notarial act. This provides assurance that the signer is indeed the person they claim to be and that they are signing under their own volition.

Other scenarios, while they might seem relevant, do not uphold the necessary legal standards for notarization. For instance, simply making a request from the signer does not fulfill the legal requirements for notarization; there is a need for proper process and assurance about the validity of the signature. Similarly, the nature of the document belonging to a government agency does not inherently sanction the notarization of a previously signed document. Notarial processes must adhere to legal standards, which are not dependent on the agency involved. Additionally, the type of notarial act performed needs to align with the requirements of acknowledgment, meaning that simply being involved in a notarial act without witness requirements does not universally apply to all documents.