What phrase best describes when a Notary Public should not perform notarizations?

The choice indicating that a Notary Public should not perform notarizations for individuals who are a party to the transaction or have a financial interest in the document serves an important function in ensuring impartiality and protecting the integrity of the notarization process.

When a notary has a personal interest, they could be perceived as biased, which undermines the fundamental role of a notary as an impartial witness. For example, if a notary is notarizing a document where they stand to gain financially or have a direct stake in the content, this can lead to conflicts of interest. The presence of such conflicts can call into question the validity of the notarization and could subject the notary to legal consequences.

This principle reflects the notary's duty to maintain a disinterested status and adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that all parties can trust the notarial acts performed. Therefore, the proper phrase closely aligns with the standard that notaries must avoid situations where personal interest may interfere with their objectivity or duty.