Is it permissible for a notary to notarize their own signature?

Notarizing one's own signature is prohibited because it creates a conflict of interest and undermines the integrity of the notarization process. The role of a notary public is to act as an impartial witness, ensuring that the signer is competent, aware of the transaction, and free from coercion. If a notary were to notarize their own signature, they would not be acting impartially, as they have a personal stake in the document. This prohibition helps maintain the credibility and reliability of notarized documents, which is essential for legal and official transactions. In order to uphold ethical standards and ensure public trust, notaries must remain objective and impartial in their duties.