Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest

A notary may not notarize a document in which they have a direct or pecuniary (financial) interest. A direct or pecuniary interest includes an interest in the transaction or record which results in actual or potential gain or advantage, financial or otherwise, other than receiving a regular salary, hourly wage or notarial fees. Regular salary or wage includes bonuses, provided the bonus is not related to or contingent upon the completion of a notarial act.

A notary should not notarize his or her own signature, nor the signature of his or her spouse.

A notary who is a stockholder, director, officer or employee of a corporation may take an acknowledgment, an oath or affirmation, or a protest for any person in the corporation, as long as the notary if the notary is one of the parties to the transaction, or may financially benefit from the transaction.