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

A notary may refuse to perform a notarization when the signer is not present or cannot provide valid identification. This is crucial because one of the fundamental responsibilities of a notary public is to verify the identity of the signer to ensure that the transaction is legitimate and that the signer is who they claim to be.

Without the signer's physical presence, the notary cannot witness the signing of the document, which undermines the integrity of the notarization process. Additionally, not having appropriate identification means the notary cannot fulfill their duty to confirm the identity of the signer. This helps protect all parties involved and maintains the reliability of notarized documents.

In the context of the other choices, being late to the appointment does not inherently compromise the notarization's validity, as the notary could still perform the duty if the signer arrives. Notarization does not specifically require a document to be printed on official paper, as long as the document meets other legal criteria. While a signer's anxiety may raise concerns, it is not a valid reason to refuse notarization unless it leads to doubts about their competency or willingness to sign.