What should a Notary do if they make a mistake on a notarized document?

When a notary makes a mistake on a notarized document, the appropriate action is to attach a corrective acknowledgment if necessary. This course of action allows the notary to address the error without compromising the integrity of the original document. A corrective acknowledgment serves to clarify or correct specific details within the notarization process and ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of the corrections made.

This method maintains the authenticity of the notarized document while also adhering to ethical practices. It is important for the notary to document any mistakes transparently and ensure that corrections do not alter the original intention of the signers. By attaching a corrective acknowledgment, the notary provides a clear, formal means to rectify an oversight, which is often required by notary laws and regulations.

In contrast, voiding the document and starting over is typically not practical, as it may lead to confusion among the involved parties and creates a record that lacks continuity. Altering the document itself is often against notary laws, as it risks invalidating the notarization and distorting the original document. Simply notifying the signers without taking the proper corrective steps may leave the situation unresolved and could potentially lead to disputes or misunderstandings.