What must a Notary screen for when assessing a signer?

When assessing a signer, a notary must primarily focus on the willingness and awareness of the individual. This involves ensuring that the signer is entering into the agreement of their own free will, without any coercion or undue influence. It is critical for the notary to confirm that the signer fully understands what they are signing, as well as the implications of the document.

Willingness is about verifying that the signer is voluntarily participating in the notarization process and has not been pressured into signing. Awareness refers to the signer's understanding of the document and their ability to comprehend its contents. This screening is essential for the integrity of the notarization process and to uphold the notary's duty to protect against fraud and ensure that signers are mentally competent at the time of the signing.

While identification is important to confirm the signer's identity, motivation and understanding of the document are more closely related to the willingness and awareness that ensure the notarization process is conducted ethically and legally.