What must you NEVER do if a document has blanks?

• A. Never instruct the signer on how to complete; suggest originator or attorney for instructions.
• B. Fill in blanks for the signer.
• C. Mark the blanks as N/A without signer input.
• D. Leave the document unsigned until blanks are filled.

Answer: (A)

When a document has blanks, your role as a notary is to witness the signing and verify identity, not to advise on or complete the content. The only appropriate action is to direct the signer to seek instructions from the originator of the document or from a qualified attorney about how to fill those blanks. Providing guidance on what to put in the spaces or filling them in yourself would amount to altering the document or giving legal advice, which a notary should not do. That boundary is why choosing not to instruct and instead referring to the proper source is essential.

Filling in blanks yourself would directly change the instrument, which is not allowed. Marking blanks as not applicable without signer input can misrepresent the document’s status. And while it’s prudent not to notarize until all blanks are resolved, the fundamental rule the question highlights is that you must never instruct the signer on how to complete the document.