47.1-15 - Prohibitions. - Virginia Statutes

§ 47.1-15. Prohibitions.

A notary shall not:

1. Notarize a document if the signer is not in the presence of the notary atthe time of notarization, unless otherwise authorized by law to do so.

2. Use the official notary title or seal to endorse, promote, denounce, oroppose any product, service, contest, candidate, or other offering.

3. Notarize a signature on a document without notarial certificate wording onthe same page as the signature unless the notarial certificate includes thename of each person whose signature is being notarized.

4. Affix an official signature or seal on a notarial certificate that isincomplete.

A notary shall not perform any official act with the intent to deceive ordefraud.

A nonattorney notary shall not assist another person in drafting, completing,selecting, or understanding a document or transaction requiring a notarialact. This section does not preclude a notary who is duly qualified, trained,or experienced in a particular industry or professional field from selecting,drafting, completing, or advising on a document or certificate related to amatter within that industry or field or prevent a notary from adding anotarial certificate or electronic notarial certificate to a paper orelectronic document at the direction of a principal or lawful authority.

A notary may decline to notarize a document.

Any document notarized prior to July 1, 2008, which does not have thenotarial certificate wording on the same page as the signature, but otherwiseappears on its face to be properly notarized, shall be deemed validlynotarized.

(2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, c. 685.)