By Maryland law, you may not notarize for:

• A. you or your spouse/significant other
• B. your immediate family
• C. your business partner
• D. a close friend

Answer: (A)

Notaries must remain impartial and avoid any personal stake in the documents they notarize. Notarizing for someone with whom you have a close personal relationship creates a real or perceived conflict of interest, which undermines the integrity of the notarization. Maryland law therefore prohibits notaries from notarizing for themselves or for their spouse or significant other. This rule protects the trustworthiness of the notarial act and helps ensure that the signer’s true identity and free consent are properly established.

The other relationships listed aren’t prohibited by this rule, so a notary may notarize for a business partner or a close friend, as long as there’s no actual conflict or benefit to the notary and the signer’s identity and willingness are clearly established. If a conflict exists, decline the act.