Can a notary public assist with completing forms?

A notary public in California is prohibited from providing assistance in completing forms unless they are a licensed attorney. This rule is set to protect the public by ensuring that individuals receive competent legal advice from professionals trained in the law. Notaries are primarily responsible for administering oaths, verifying signatures, and ensuring that the documents they notarize are completed correctly in terms of notarization requirements.

The role of a notary is strictly to act as an impartial witness and to confirm the identity of the signers—not to interpret legal forms or provide advice on how to fill them out. Therefore, if a notary offers help in completing forms, they risk violating the law unless they hold a separate legal qualification.