Can a California Notary Public notarize a document in which they have a financial interest?

A California Notary Public is prohibited from notarizing any document where they have a financial interest. This rule is in place to prevent conflicts of interest and to maintain the integrity of the notarial process. The notary's role is to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, and having a financial interest could compromise this impartiality.

This prohibition applies regardless of the size of the interest, ensuring that notaries remain neutral and that individuals can trust the notarial services provided. By maintaining this strict boundary, California law upholds public confidence in the notary system, which is essential to the proper function of various legal and financial transactions.