Your duty in a situation where a principal signer directs another to sign on their behalf is to...

In a situation where a principal signer directs another person to sign on their behalf, verifying the identity of everyone involved is crucial. This step ensures that the notary is performing due diligence by confirming that both the principal signer and the individual signing on their behalf are who they claim to be. This is important because the notary's role is to prevent fraud and to ensure that all parties are consenting and legally capable of entering into the agreement.

While it may seem reasonable to consider halting the process or seeking legal advice, these actions could delay the signing unnecessarily. Reading the document aloud, while it may provide clarity, is not an essential part of the notary's duties in this specific context. The focus should be on the verification of identities to maintain the integrity of the notarization process. Thus, verifying the identity protects the legal validity of the transaction and safeguards against any potential issues related to authority or consent.