Who is responsible for ensuring a notary acts within their legal bounds?

The notary's own responsibility is paramount in ensuring that they act within their legal bounds. This self-regulation is rooted in the premise that notaries are public officials who must adhere to specific laws and guidelines governing their actions. The notary is required to understand and comply with the legal responsibilities and duties assigned to them, which include verifying the identities of signers, ensuring documents are complete and in proper form, and performing their duties with impartiality.

A notary is not only expected to know the specifics of the notary laws but also must actively seek to uphold them to avoid legal ramifications, including fines or losing their notary commission. While others, such as the state government, create the rules and monitor compliance, the ultimate accountability lies with the notary themselves in making sure their actions are lawful. This intrinsic responsibility helps maintain the integrity of the notarial process and protects the interests of the public.