What should a notary do if they suspect a signature is forged?

When a notary suspects that a signature is forged, the most appropriate course of action is to refuse to notarize the document. Notarization is a process that relies on the integrity and authenticity of the signatures involved. A notary has a responsibility to ensure that the individual signing the document is doing so willingly and is indeed who they claim to be. If there is suspicion of forgery, it undermines the entire purpose of the notarization, which is to provide an assurance of the authenticity of the signature and the identity of the signer.

Refusing to notarize protects the notary from potential legal liability and upholds the standards of notarization. It is important for notaries to act with due diligence and caution when they recognize any discrepancies or doubts regarding the validity of a signature. Simply notarizing a document without being sure of the authenticity can lead to serious implications for both the notary and the parties involved in the document.