What should a notary do if they discover a document is forged?

When a notary discovers that a document is forged, the appropriate action is to report the forgery to the authorities. This response is crucial because a forged document represents a serious violation of law and could potentially facilitate fraud. Notaries have a legal obligation to act in accordance with the law and to protect the integrity of the notarization process.

By reporting the forgery, the notary helps to ensure that appropriate actions can be taken against the individual responsible for the forgery and helps to prevent any potential harm that could arise from the fraudulent document. Furthermore, taking this step protects the notary from liability—by acknowledging and addressing the issue, the notary demonstrates that they are acting responsibly in their role.

In contrast, proceeding with the notarization, contacting the signer for clarification, or keeping the information confidential would not address the legal implications of the forged document and could lead to serious consequences for both the notary and any affected parties.