New York State Notary Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In situations where a signer appears to be under duress, it is the notary's responsibility to ensure that the notarization process is conducted with the signer's free and voluntary consent. The correct course of action in this scenario is to refuse to notarize the document until the notary is satisfied that the signer is acting voluntarily and without coercion.

This is vital because notarization requires that the signer acknowledges their signature willingly, without any threats or pressure influencing their decision. A notary who proceeds with the notarization, whether to avoid conflict or because the signer insists, may inadvertently facilitate fraud or other legal issues. Additionally, calling the police might not be appropriate unless there is immediate and observable danger, as the notary should first assess the situation carefully and prioritize ensuring the signer's voluntary action.

Thus, the notary’s duty includes protecting the integrity of the notarization process by ensuring that the signer is not being forced into a decision, which is why the refusal to notarize until voluntary action is confirmed is the correct approach.