What does "impartial witness" mean in the context of Notary Public duties?

In the context of Notary Public duties, the term "impartial witness" refers to the requirement that the Notary remains unbiased and has no vested interest in the transaction being notarized. This impartiality ensures that the Notary acts in a neutral role, providing assurance that the documents are executed honestly and without any conflicts of interest. An impartial witness helps maintain the integrity of the notarization process, as it builds trust in the notarized documents by guaranteeing that the Notary has no personal stake in the outcome.

Regarding the other choices, the notion that a witness must be related to the signer is incorrect, as impartiality is compromised when familial ties exist. The option suggesting that the witness must be a licensed attorney is not a general requirement for notarization, as witnesses can be any individuals of legal age who are not involved in the document being signed. Finally, the idea that a witness is optional during the notarization contradicts the definition of an impartial witness, which specifically highlights the importance of having someone present who can verify the authenticity of the signing process—when a witness is required.