Under what circumstance should a notary refuse to notarize a document?

A notary should refuse to notarize a document if the signer is not present or lacks satisfactory identification. This requirement is crucial because a notary's primary responsibilities include verifying the identity of the individuals involved in the signing process and ensuring that the signer is willing to sign the document knowingly and willingly. If the signer is absent or cannot provide valid identification, the notary cannot fulfill these duties, which protects the integrity of the notarial act and helps prevent fraud.

Each notarial act must be conducted with care to maintain the authenticity of the signatures and the validity of the documents. Therefore, any situation that compromises the ability to confirm the identity of the signer must prompt the notary to refuse the notarization.