A notary public cannot be a disinterested party or an impartial witness when his or her own documents are involved. Notaries public cannot legally notarize their own documents or take their own acknowledgment because they cannot be an impartial witness or a disinterested party to a transaction.

When can you not notarize a document?

Reasons to refuse a notarization for your own protection may include: The document does not have a prepared notary certificate, and the signer cannot tell you what notarial act is required. You believe that the signer is being coerced or does not understand the consequences of signing the document.

What makes a notarized document invalid?

Illegible/ Expired Notary Seal: Stamp impressions that are too dark, too light, incomplete, smudged, or in any way unreadable may cause an otherwise acceptable document to be rejected for its intended use. ... Your signature and notary seal should always be in close proximity to each other.