Ace the Arkansas Notary Test 2026 – Seal Your Success and Shine!

When a notary suspects that a document may involve fraud, the appropriate course of action is to refuse to notarize the document and report the issue to the appropriate authorities. This aligns with the notary's duty to uphold the integrity of the notarization process and protect the public from potential fraud.

Notarization is intended to provide assurance that the signatures on documents are genuine and that the parties involved understand the contents of the documents. If a notary suspects fraud, proceeding with the notarization could facilitate illegal activities and undermine the notary's responsibility and ethical obligations. Reporting the issue to authorities not only helps to prevent the potential misuse of the document but also ensures that the notary complies with legal and ethical standards.

In contrast, simply notifying the signer and proceeding with the notarization does not adequately address the ethical concerns and risks associated with potentially fraudulent activities. Notarizing without taking action could implicate the notary in fraudulent actions. Asking the signer for proof of identity is essential in every notarization but does not address the fundamental concern of suspected fraud. Similarly, notarizing despite suspicions for the sake of avoiding confrontation puts the notary's professional responsibilities at risk and can have legal repercussions.