Which documents cannot be notarized in California?

The reasoning behind the answer regarding documents that cannot be notarized in California revolves around specific laws that dictate notarial practices. Certain types of documents are explicitly prohibited from being notarized, and this includes wills and trusts. In California, a notary public cannot notarize a will, trust, or any document that is not allowed by law to be executed without the presence of a notary. Understanding this restriction helps protect the integrity of legal documents and ensures that they are created and executed according to proper legal standards.

The other options, while they highlight various considerations that a notary must take into account, do not represent absolute prohibitions set by law for notarization. For example, documents signed under duress may present ethical concerns, but they are not outright banned from being notarized. Similarly, notarization can sometimes occur even if a document has a missing signature, provided that when the person appears before the notary to sign, they can properly identify themselves and acknowledge the contents. Lastly, financial documents are frequently notarized, as they often require verification of identity due to the sensitive nature of the transactions involved. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the importance of recognizing which documents are legally eligible for notarization in California.