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

The first action a notary should take when approached by a signer is to confirm the identity and willingness of the signer. This step is crucial to ensure that the notary performs their duties in compliance with legal and ethical standards. Verifying the signer's identity protects against issues of fraud and ensures that the document is signed willingly and without coercion. This process typically involves examining a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport, which confirms that the person signing the document is indeed who they claim to be.

In addition, ensuring the signer is willing to sign the document helps to maintain the integrity of the notarization process. A notary must be confident that the signer understands the nature of what they are signing and is doing so voluntarily. This helps build trust in the notarization process and upholds the legal validity of the transaction.

Other actions, such as asking for payment upfront, may occur later but are not the first priority. Requesting the document to be notarized is a necessary step, but without confirming the signer's identity and willingness, the notarization could be compromised. Providing legal advice on matters related to the document is beyond the notary’s role and can lead to unauthorized practice of law, which should be avoided. Therefore