Why should notaries avoid making exceptions for friends or family?

Notaries should avoid making exceptions for friends or family primarily because it can lead to legal risks and repercussions. Notarial duties require impartiality and adherence to specific legal standards to maintain the integrity of the notarization process. When personal relationships influence notarial decisions, it raises concerns about conflicts of interest, which can compromise the notary’s impartiality.

If a notary performs their duties for friends or family, they may be more likely to overlook necessary procedures or fail to properly verify identification, leading to potential legal issues. Notarizations are meant to provide an objective verification of signatures and documents, so any perceived bias could result in disputes about the validity of the notarized documents, thus exposing both the notary and their clients to potential legal challenges.

Maintaining strict professional boundaries protects notaries and ensures that all transactions are treated equally, supporting the overall trust in the notarial process.