What should a notary do if presented with an unsigned document?

• A. Refuse the notarization
• B. Allow the signer to sign in their absence
• C. Require the signer to sign in their presence
• D. Sign the document themselves

Answer: (C)

The key rule is that a notary must witness the signer actually signing (or be able to confirm the signer’s acknowledgement of a signature already made) in the notary’s presence. If the document is unsigned, there is no signature to notarize, so the notary cannot complete the process. The proper step is to have the signer sign the document in the notary’s presence, and then proceed with the notarization right after. Notaries may not notarize a document signed in the signer’s absence, and they may not sign the document themselves or sign for the signer. This preserves the integrity and legality of the notarization.