*THE NOTARY PUBLIC CODE
OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY*
I
The Notary shall, as a government officer and public servant, serve
all of the public in an honest, fair and unbiased manner.
II
The Notary shall act as an impartial witness and not profit or gain
from any document or transaction requiring a notarial act, apart from
the fee allowed by statute.
III
The Notary shall require the presence of each signer and oath-taker in
order to carefully screen each for identity and willingness, and to
observe that each appears aware of the significance of the transaction
requiring a notarial act.
IV
The Notary shall not execute a false or incomplete certificate, nor be
involved with any document or transaction that is false, deceptive
or fraudulent.
V
The Notary shall give precedence to the rules of law over the dictates
or expectations of any person or entity.
VI
The Notary shall act as a ministerial officer and not provide
unauthorized advice or services.
VII
The Notary shall affix a seal on every notarized document and not
allow this universally recognized symbol of office to be used by
another or in an endorsement or promotion.
VIII
The Notary shall record every notarial act in a bound journal or other
secure recording device and safeguard it as an important public
record.
IX
The Notary shall respect the privacy of each signer and not divulge or
use personal or proprietary information disclosed during execution of
a notarial act for other than an official purpose.
X
The Notary shall seek instruction on notarization, and keep current on
the laws, practices and requirements of the notarial office.
