Prohibited Acts and Penalties
Acts a Notary May Never Perform
New Jersey notaries are barred from a defined list of acts. The most heavily tested: notarizing one's own signature; notarizing a document in which the notary has a direct beneficial interest; exercising powers outside the scope of the commission (for example, giving legal advice, drafting legal documents for others, or preparing immigration papers); and performing an act without the signer present.
Advertising and Title Restrictions
A notary may not advertise in a way that implies legal authority to practice law, and may not use the title in a misleading manner. Trap: answer choices that frame the notary as an "attorney" or as able to "advise" clients on document content are prohibited - a notary may explain what an act is, never whether the client should sign or what the document means legally.
Improper Fees and Compensation
A notary may charge only the statutory fee for notarial acts and may not demand compensation tied to the outcome of a transaction or solicit business through improper means. Overcharging or charging for acts not performed is a violation.
Penalties
Violations carry consequences ranging from commission revocation or suspension and civil penalties to criminal liability for fraud, forgery, or impersonation. A notary who knowingly notarizes a false certificate or accepts a bribe faces criminal exposure, not merely administrative discipline. Questions often test whether a described act is (a) merely improper, (b) grounds for discipline, or (c) criminal - the answer depends on knowledge and intent.
Worked Example
A notary's spouse asks the notary to notarize the spouse's signature on a deed transferring the couple's home. Because the notary has a direct beneficial interest in the property, the notary must decline and refer the spouse to another notary - even though the signature itself is genuine.
Rule of Thumb
If you benefit, if it's your signature, or if it's legal advice - it's prohibited.