North Carolina Notary Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

A notary public is not permitted to offer legal advice while performing their official duties. The role of a notary is primarily to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, to administer oaths, and to perform other duties as specified by law. By design, notaries must remain neutral and cannot take on the role of an advocate or advisor.

Providing legal advice involves interpreting laws or suggesting how to act based on those laws, which is outside the scope of a notary's responsibilities. This restriction is put in place to protect the public and ensure that individuals seeking legal guidance are directed to qualified legal professionals.

Moreover, this prevents any potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that notaries uphold their duty to serve all parties involved in a transaction fairly and impartially. The focus should always remain on the authenticity of the signatures, the acknowledgment of identities, and the proper completion of documents under their official capacity.