What does it mean for a Notary to be "disqualified" from serving?

A Notary Public is considered "disqualified" from serving when they have a conflict of interest or have engaged in misconduct. This designation reflects the legal and ethical standards required to maintain the integrity of the notarial act.

Disqualification due to a conflict of interest occurs when the Notary has a personal stake in the document being notarized, which could compromise their impartiality. Engaging in misconduct, such as failing to follow proper notarial procedures or providing false information, undermines the trust placed in Notaries to perform their duties honestly and reliably.

Maintaining professionalism and ethical standards is essential in the role of a Notary, as they are tasked with ensuring that signatures are genuine and that the signers are fully aware of the documents they are signing. Any indication of bias or dishonesty can lead to a loss of public confidence in the notarial process, which is why such disqualifications are critical to enforce.