Florida Notary Practice Exam

When a notary suspects that a document may be fraudulent, the appropriate course of action is to verify the authenticity and document the findings. This is vital because notaries have a responsibility to ensure that the documents they are notarizing are genuine and that the signers are who they claim to be. By verifying the details, the notary can gather evidence regarding their suspicions, which can help in making an informed decision about whether to proceed with the notarization or to take further actions.

Documenting the findings is also crucial. It creates a record of the notary's observations and any attempts made to confirm the authenticity of the document. This information can be invaluable should the situation arise where the notary's actions come under scrutiny.

In contrast, ignoring the suspicion undermines the integrity of the notarial process and exposes the notary to potential legal ramifications. Consulting legal counsel may be prudent in certain situations but is not the first step a notary should take when immediate verification is possible. Reporting to the police might be necessary in cases where a crime has been clearly committed, but it is typically more appropriate to first confirm the authenticity of the document in question.

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