If a document requires a notary’s certificate, but the signer refuses to sign in the notary’s presence, what should be done?

• A. Do not notarize; the signer must appear and sign in the notary’s presence for most acts.
• B. Notarize anyway.
• C. Ask signer to sign elsewhere.
• D. Proceed with remote signing.

Answer: (A)

Notarizations require the signer to appear before the notary and sign in the notary’s presence so the notary can verify identity and witness the signing. If the signer refuses to sign in front of you, you cannot complete the notarization—the certificate would be invalid if you proceed. The proper course is to decline notarizing and explain that the signer must sign in your presence for the notarization to be valid, or reschedule if the signer is willing to sign in your presence.