What is the consequence if a notary acts beyond their authority?

• A. The notarization may be invalid and the notary may face disciplinary or civil consequences.
• B. No consequence.
• C. The act is automatically valid.
• D. The signer is liable.

Answer: (A)

When a notary acts beyond the authority granted by their commission, the notarization may be invalid because the act wasn’t performed within the scope of official duties. Notaries must conduct acts like acknowledgments, jurats, and oaths only within the limits of their commission and the law. If they overstep, the document can be treated as improperly notarized, which opens the notary up to disciplinary action by the regulatory body and civil liability to anyone harmed by relying on the invalid notarization. The signer isn’t automatically at fault for the invalidity; the main accountability falls on the notary.