If a signer appears to lack competence, which action aligns with the established guidance?

• A. Proceed with notarization
• B. Ask unrelated questions to assess competence
• C. Consult with another notary
• D. Refuse and leave the situation

Answer: (B)

When a signer appears to lack competence, the notary’s priority is to determine whether they truly understand the document and are signing voluntarily. The best way to do that is to ask questions that reveal their comprehension of the document’s purpose and the consequences of signing. This approach gathers factual information about the signer’s understanding without assuming incapacity based on appearance, helping the notary decide whether it’s appropriate to proceed, defer, or seek further guidance. If the signer can clearly explain what they are signing and confirms it is voluntary, the notarization can proceed after all other required steps are met. If they cannot, the notary should not proceed and should obtain direction or refuse as appropriate. Proceeding without assessing understanding risks notarizing a transaction the signer doesn’t grasp; consulting another notary or refusing outright may be warranted in different circumstances, but asking questions to gauge competence is the immediate, prudent step to take.