Which of the following actions is expressly prohibited for a notary?

Giving legal advice is expressly prohibited for a notary because notaries are not authorized to practice law. The role of a notary is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and to help prevent fraud by verifying the identity of the signers, ensuring that they understand the contents of what they are signing, and maintaining a record of the transaction. Legal advice, however, requires specialized knowledge and qualifications that a notary does not possess.

By engaging in legal advice, a notary could potentially mislead individuals or contribute to misunderstandings about legal matters, which is why this action is outside the scope of their responsibilities. In contrast, actions such as providing an itemized receipt, confirming the identity of the signer, and recording required information in a notary journal are part of the notary's duties. These actions support the notary's function in ensuring transparency and accountability in the signing process.