Illinois Notary Primer Practice Exam

In what scenario can a notary refuse to perform a notarization?

1. If the signer's identity cannot be verified

2. If the document is incomplete

3. If the signer is not a resident of Illinois

4. If they personally disapprove of the document

The correct answer is: If the signer's identity cannot be verified

A notary can refuse to perform a notarization if the signer's identity cannot be verified. This is a critical step in the notarization process because a notary's primary responsibility is to authenticate the identity of the individuals involved. If the notary cannot confirm the signer's identity using appropriate identification methods, they should decline to notarize the document. This helps prevent fraud and ensures that the notarization process is legitimate and trustworthy. In cases where the document is incomplete, a notary may advise the signer to complete it before notarization. However, this does not necessarily warrant a refusal to notarize as long as the notary is able to affirm the identity of the signer. If the signer is not a resident of Illinois, this alone does not provide sufficient grounds for refusal. Non-residents can still have their documents notarized by an Illinois notary as long as they meet the identification requirements. Personal disapproval of a document by the notary is not a legitimate reason to refuse a notarization. The notary's role is to verify identities and acknowledge signatures, not to assess the content of the documents. As long as the notary follows proper procedures and ethical guidelines, they should not let personal beliefs influence their duties.