Why would a notary application be denied?

Asked by: Sophia Swaniawski  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes)

A fraudulent, dishonest or deceitful misstatement or omission in the application for a commission as a notary public submitted to the secretary of state. 3. A conviction of the applicant or notary public of any felony or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit.

Why would a notary be denied?

These may include: The signer is not physically present (unless the Notary is performing a remote online notarization) The signer cannot be properly identified. The signer does not speak the same language as the Notary.

Which of the following offenses cancels a notary application?

The examples include but are not limited to: assault, arson, auto theft, burglary, possession or sale of illegal drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, failure to pay child support or failure to comply with a court order.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.

What is the hardest state to become a notary?

New York. New York has one of the toughest tests to become a Notary. The Empire State requires Notary applicants to take and pass an exam in order to receive a commission.

Chapter 3: Why Notary Applications Get Denied | NC Notary Manual

29 related questions found

What type of Notaries make the most money?

Specialize in real estate closings

Make money as a notary public by becoming a loan signing agent and specializing in notarizing real estate documents. Loan signings are often more complex and command higher fees.

What are the cons of being a notary?

The Cons of Being a Notary
  • Steady income can be difficult.
  • You could be sued for a lot of money.
  • Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.

Can a notary refuse?

The criteria for notarization is not met.

As a notary, you should always refuse to notarize if the requirements for notarization are not satisfied, such as when: The signer fails to personally appear before you. The signer fails to provide proper identification.

How to list notary on resume with no experience?

Under certificates or licenses

The most common place to list your notary status is in your certificates and licenses section. List your status as noted above, including location and expiration date, and include any additional certificates, such as certified notary signing agent or eNotary.

What is notary misconduct?

Examples of notarial misconduct include the following: 1) the notary notarized an instrument without the signer being present; 2) the notary failed to establish the identity of the signer by satisfactory evidence; 3) the notary failed to execute proper notarial procedures; and 4) the notary knew that the document ...

In which of the following situations should a notary decline to complete a notarization?

You may decline to perform a notarial act if: The notary believes that the transaction is fraudulent in some way. The document is not eligible to have a notarial act performed over it, i.e. The notary has not been given all the pages of the document.

What invalidates a notarized document?

Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal

States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.

Can notaries swear people in?

2093. (a) Every court, every judge, or clerk of any court, every justice, and every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has the power to administer oaths or affirmations.

Why not to be a notary?

You may not enjoy a steady source of income

As a self-employed notary, enjoying a steady source of income may be difficult. This is because the flow of jobs may be unpredictable and estimating how often your clients will need your services may be difficult.

Which of the following is satisfactory evidence of identity?

Satisfactory evidence of identity for a notary typically involves presenting one or more forms of unexpired government-issued identification that includes the person's photograph and signature. Commonly accepted forms include passports, driver's licenses, military IDs, or state-issued identification cards.

What happens if you do a notary wrong?

What happens if a notary makes a mistake? The National Notary Association suggests that even the smallest mistake could have dire consequences. The notarized document could get rejected. A mistake that results in a rejection can result in late fees and penalties on the part of the client.

Does being a notary look good on a resume?

The second reason is that being a notary public looks good on your resume, particularly if you work in a field like real estate or banking where certain documents will need a notary's signature to be considered valid and binding.

Can a notary notarize a signature without being present?

To notarize a document, the signers must be present at the time of notarization. While you can notarize an acknowledgment document that has been previously signed in some cases, the signer must still be present at the time of notarization to confirm the validity of their signature.

Can I work for myself as a notary?

It is possible! Many people have found freedom in being able to work for themselves as a mobile notary public. There are certain steps you do need to take so that you will have a successful notary business.

Can a document be legal without a notary?

Many types of written contracts don't require a notary public to be valid. However, if a person's signature has been notarized, generally, courts waive the legal obligation or duty to prove contract authentication. This can save you a lot of time and money.

Do notaries have to be confidential?

California. If we look at California, the rules are more strict. Under Gov. Code 8206[d], notaries are not allowed to disclose the contents of their notary journals to anyone.

How much does a notary make per signing?

Notary Fee Structure in California

In California, the maximum fee notaries can charge per signature is $15. However, notaries often earn additional income through: Travel fees for mobile notary services. Loan signing packages (ranging from $75 to $200+ per signing)

Is notary a good side hustle?

A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities. Being a Notary shows that you have integrity and it establishes a level of trust that gives you a leg up on your competition — even if you're not directly using your commission for every freelance job that comes your way.

Is notary a stressful job?

Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.