Pennsylvania Notary Public Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Giving legal advice is considered a prohibited act for a notary public. Notaries are not attorneys and do not have the authority or qualifications to provide legal counsel. Their role is to serve as impartial witnesses to the signing of documents and to verify the identities of the individuals involved. When performing this function, they must refrain from interpreting the content of documents or advising parties on legal matters, as this can lead to misunderstandings and potentially legal issues.

The other activities listed, such as taking acknowledgments, notarizing signatures, and administering oaths, fall within the scope of a notary's responsibilities and are legitimate functions that they are authorized to perform. Notaries are trusted to ensure signatures are indeed from the signers identified and that proper procedures are followed without providing legal interpretation or advice.