What does it mean for a notary to act "in good faith"?

When a notary acts "in good faith," it signifies that they are performing their duties honestly and without any intention to deceive any party involved. This principle is critical to the role of a notary, as it establishes trust and reliability within the notarization process. A notary must ensure that all signatures are genuine, that the individuals signing documents are doing so voluntarily, and that they fully understand the contents of the documents they are signing. The expectation of acting in good faith protects the public and upholds the integrity of the notarial act.

The other options do not accurately capture this important concept. Promoting business may involve ethical considerations but does not inherently relate to the honesty required in notarial acts. Personal beliefs, while they might inform a notary's perspective, should not influence their impartiality in official duties. Lastly, while awareness of legal consequences is important, it does not directly address the concept of acting honestly, which is core to good faith.