Are notaries allowed to give legal advice?

• A. No; notaries may explain the notarial process but not provide legal advice.
• B. Yes, notaries may provide general legal advice.
• C. Yes, but only if they are also a lawyer.
• D. No, they must refer to a lawyer in all cases.

Answer: (A)

Notaries public are there to witness signatures, administer oaths, take acknowledgments, and verify identity. They do not interpret the law or advise on rights or obligations—the practice of law is reserved for licensed attorneys. So a notary can explain how to complete the notarial act, what identifications are needed, and what happens during the process, but they should not offer legal opinions or guidance about the legal effect of a document or the best course of action in a legal matter. If you need legal advice, you should consult an attorney. (If a notary is also a lawyer, they may provide legal guidance in that capacity, but the notary function alone does not authorize giving legal advice.)