For what reason might a Notary Public refuse to perform a notarization?

A Notary Public might refuse to perform a notarization if the signer cannot provide sufficient identification. One of the primary responsibilities of a Notary is to verify the identity of the signer to ensure that they are who they claim to be. Identification is critical in preventing fraud and ensuring the integrity of the notarization process. If the signer presents inadequate or unacceptable identification, the Notary is obligated to refuse the notarization, as they cannot confirm the identity of the individual involved.

For the other reasons, while they may raise concerns, they do not inherently require refusal. A signer not wanting to provide identification presents a challenge, but it falls under a similar situation to insufficient ID; ultimately, without ID, the notarization cannot proceed. A document signed by a third party may also not be a valid reason for refusal, depending on the circumstances of the transaction and whether the third party is authorized to sign on behalf of the owner of the document. Additionally, being unfamiliar with the document itself does not necessarily prevent notarization as long as the signer can verify their identity and the document meets other notarization criteria.