What action should a notary take if they discover a certificate was incorrectly completed after sealing?

• A. Modify the certificate secretly to correct errors.
• B. Reseal the certificate without notifying anyone.
• C. Ignore the error if it’s minor.
• D. Do not alter the certificate; cancel the notarization and issue a corrected certificate.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is preserving the integrity and accuracy of a notarization. Once a certificate has been sealed, you cannot go in and modify its content. Any error must be addressed by canceling the notarization and issuing a corrected certificate. This preserves trust in the notarial act and prevents any appearance of tampering. Resealing, ignoring the error, or secretly changing the document would undermine the public record and could constitute improper conduct. By canceling the notarization and issuing a corrected certificate, you ensure the document accurately reflects what happened and maintain proper notarization standards. If needed, you may re-notarize the corrected certificate or create a new certificate that accurately states the facts, following the applicable Maryland rules.