Indiana Notary Public Practice Exam 2025 - Free Notary Public Practice Questions and Study Guide

A notary public has a critical responsibility to ensure the integrity of the notarization process and the documents they handle. When faced with a situation where there is a suspicion of a fraudulent document, the appropriate action is to refuse to notarize the document. This decision is based on the notary's duty to verify the identity of signers and the legality of the documents presented to them.

By refusing to notarize a potentially fraudulent document, the notary protects the interests of all parties involved and upholds the trust placed in the notary's role. Notarizing a fraudulent document could contribute to further illegal activities and may expose the notary to legal liability. Therefore, it is essential for the notary to be vigilant and prioritize authenticity and legality in their notarial acts.

While informing the signer to consult a lawyer may be a good practice in some contexts, the notary’s responsibility is primarily to not perform the notarization if there are doubts about the document’s validity. Charging a higher fee for notarization or proceeding with the notarization does not address the concern of potential fraud and would not be considered professional or ethical behavior in these circumstances.