Which of the following conditions allows a notary to refuse notarization?

A notary public has a duty to ensure that the signatures they witness are executed willingly and without duress. If a signer appears to be coerced, this raises significant concerns about their capacity to consent to the transaction or document. Coercion undermines the integrity of the notarization process, as it suggests that the signer is not acting of their own free will.

In such instances, the notary is obligated to refuse to notarize the document to protect the signer’s rights and to maintain the credibility of the notarial act. Refusing to proceed with the notarization when coercion is evident helps prevent fraudulent activities and ensures that the signer’s intentions are clear and voluntary.

In contrast, other conditions listed, such as the signer being confident, having proper identification, or being familiar with the document, do not inherently raise issues that would necessitate a notarization refusal. Confidence and familiarity with the document indicate a readiness to engage in the notarization, while valid identification reassures the notary of the signer's identity. These factors do not compromise the voluntary nature of the signing process.