What constitutes a "disqualifying interest" for a notary?

A disqualifying interest for a notary primarily refers to any financial interest the notary may have in the document being notarized. This principle is rooted in the ethical obligation for notaries to remain impartial and unbiased during the notarization process. If a notary stands to gain or lose financially from the document, their ability to act impartially is compromised, thereby violating the standards of notarial conduct.

Having a financial interest means the notary could be seen as having a stake in the outcome of the notarization. This is an important consideration as it ensures that the notary's role as an impartial witness to the signing of documents is preserved.

The other options do not accurately reflect disqualifying interests as defined in notary practice. A personal relationship with the signer does not automatically disqualify a notary unless it influences their impartiality or willingness to serve. Similarly, a notary's signature being present on a document does not impair their ability to notarize it, as long as they are not a party to the document. The suggestion that a notary can notarize any document regardless of interest overlooks the critical responsibility to remain impartial and free from conflicting interests.