Hawaii Notary Public Practice Exam 2026 – All-In-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The correct action for a Notary in this situation is to refuse to notarize the document and report the circumstances if necessary. A Notary Public's primary responsibility is to ensure the authenticity of the documents they notarize and the legitimacy of the individuals involved in the transaction. If a Notary suspects that a document is being presented under false pretenses, notarizing it could facilitate fraud or illegal activity, which goes against the ethical and legal obligations of the position.

Refusing to notarize protects both the Notary and the integrity of the notarial process. In instances where fraud is suspected, it's important for the Notary to take appropriate action rather than ignore their suspicions or proceed with notarization. Reporting the situation could involve notifying relevant authorities or following established procedures, thus contributing to the prevention of fraud. This decision exemplifies a Notary’s commitment to uphold the law and their professional responsibilities.

Consulting a legal advisor or contacting law enforcement may be prudent steps in certain scenarios, but the immediate and necessary action is to refuse notarization to prevent potential wrongdoing from occurring.